GENERAL FORESTRY 



PART I 

 HISTORY, ECONOMICS, AND IMPORTANCE 



CHAPTER I 

 INTRODUCTION 



1. DEFINITION; SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS 



Forests have always played an important part in the economic 

 structure of our nation. They may be used for the continued eco- 

 nomic and social betterment of the people. Forestry may be briefly 

 defined as the best use of the forest. It is the art and science of 

 managing our forests and converting the product to best serve 

 mankind. Continuity of production and use is the central theme. 

 Heretofore, our forests, during the colonial and expansion periods of 

 westward development, have been viewed largely as a resource to be 

 exploited. Little thought was given to the future of our natural re- 

 sources. Forests served as a deterrent rather than as an aid to civi- 

 lization during the early generations. Now, sustained yield manage- 

 ment, treating the forests as a source of periodic crops, has replaced 

 the former practice of exploitation and wastage. Thus, forestry deals 

 with the growing and use of successive crops of timber. Perpetuation 

 and continuous productivity of the forests to serve the manifold social 

 and economic benefits of our people have become recognized as one of 

 the most important aspects of our internal development. 



Forestry has also been defined as the growing and use of successive 

 crops of timber on lands unsuited to agriculture. Forestry is some- 

 times described as a part of agriculture. It is really a separate and 

 distinct subject, however. It is closely allied to agriculture and pro- 

 vides a soil crop. But forestry is also closely integrated with engi- 

 neering, transportation, chemistry, and the broad field of business and 

 economics. Forestry is planned economy for the best management 

 and utilization of our forests and forest lands, which include approxi- 



