DEFINITION: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS 3 



the propagation of bird, fish, and animal life for recreation through 

 hunting and fishing; the prevention of erosion to protect both forest 

 and agricultural soils; the control of water flows for power, irrigation, 

 or potable purposes, or perhaps for scenic and aesthetic enjoyment. 

 In each region of the country, the particular kind of forestry practiced 

 must lend itself to the local requirements. Population growth and 

 trends, the excellent systems of highways, the need for health and 

 camping facilities in the woods, and the demand for water for recla- 

 mation purposes are factors to be considered. Thus, multiple-purpose 

 forestry has replaced the former narrow concept of a single objective 

 that of wood production. 



The automobile and improved highways have vitally changed our 

 national habits. In contrast to the thousands of a decade ago, mil- 

 lions are now seeking recreation, health, and enjoyment in the forests. 

 National planning for land use is crystallizing largely around forest 

 areas and forest problems. With surplus agricultural crop production, 

 the reversion to forest of many areas formerly tilled, the decreasing 

 per capita consumption of lumber to less than one-half that of 1911, 

 and with better fire protection and improved growing conditions, it 

 seems likely that we may be able to grow sufficient timber to meet 

 our future requirements. This is probable in spite of increasing popu- 

 lation. The fear of a timber famine does not seem justified, and as 

 forestry was developed in Europe because of a threatened fuel famine, 

 so it is likely that the objectives and definitions of forestry may 

 change through the years. During the brief space of the past thirty 

 years, the province of the field of forestry has greatly expanded. For- 

 estry is intimately entwined with the daily lives and welfare of a very 

 important portion of our people. This social and economic integration 

 has come to be recognized and better understood both by the techni- 

 cians engaged in the profession and by the public. Furthermore, it is 

 due in no small measure to some of the concepts of the recent conser- 

 vation and relief programs in which forestry has played such an 

 important part. 



Already much of our lumber production from the South, North, 

 and East comes from second-, third-, or fourth-growth forests. The 

 small sawmill has replaced the big sawmill unit as the larger source 

 of production east of the Rocky Mountains. Thus the importance and 

 significance of forestry and the part it may play in the life of the 

 nation have been much strengthened and more fully appreciated. 

 Certainly the conservation policies of recent years have greatly stimu- 

 lated the interest of our people in the part forests may play in our 

 national well-being. 



