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FORESTRY ALMANAC 



measures of increasing growth will, very evidently, have to be taken 

 if we are to grow the wood we need on the land available. 



SENATOR FLETCHER. Is not the per capita consumption of wood 

 on the decline? 



MR. DANA. It has declined in the past few years. The decline in 

 the per capita consumption, however, is offset by the increase in 



COMPARISON BETWEEN AREAS AVAILABLE AND REQUIRED TO MEET THE 



PRESENT DRAIN ON THE FORESTS 



a, Total land area of the United States, 1,903,000,000 acres, b, Humid area (suitable for pro- 

 duction of crops without irrigation) , 1,038,000,000 acres, c, Present forest area, 469,500,000 

 acres, d. Forest area needed to meet present drain with present growth per acre, 1,927,000,000 

 acres, e. Forest area needed to meet present drain with growth per acre possible by 1950 

 under crude forestry, 1,147,000,000 acres. /, Probable area available for forests in 1950 after 

 agricultural needs have been met, 470,000,000 acres. 



population, so that it is doubtful whether any decline in total con- 

 sumption can be anticipated over a period of years. If anything, it 

 seems more probable that there will be a slight increase in total con- 

 sumption provided the wood is available. 



SENATOR FLETCHER. How do you account for the decline? 



MR. DANA. That is due very largely to the increase in prices 

 resulting from economic conditions and from the decreasing 

 timber supply. 



I should like to present the same situation that I have just given 

 in other terms that may perhaps drive the point home a little 

 more forcibly. 



Look at the same situation from a slightly different angle. Our 



