8 THE TREE PLANTERS OF AMERICA 



It is believed that, rightly exploited and managed, the movement 

 would become of vast scope and early results. Boys are easy to 

 receive and hold impressions, and once their ambitions are quick- 

 ened, are enthusiastic, cordially responsive and persistent; besides 

 behind them would be the right-minded, progressive father who 

 would encourage the sons in the great work of reforestation. 



The system once established will become a part of the life of the 

 farmer. He may learn of the timbers that will best thrive in his par- 

 ticular section of the country and of those kinds most needed by 

 the various industries. 



Not only on the farm but in the suburbs of our large towns 

 and cities should tree planting, for use and for ornament, be prac- 

 ticed by the boys and young men of America. These foresters of 

 the future should also learn the best methods of trimming out 

 the second growth of deforested lands wherever the soil is not 

 needed or unfit for tillage, so that the most promising saplings may 

 grow unhampered; furthermore become familiar with the diseases 

 and parasites of trees and the effective means for their extinction. 



Through tree-planting and tree culture, in boyhood, the farmer 

 easily acquires the habit of making the forest an invaluable factor 

 of his farm ; restoring that which, often with wasteful methods and 

 with little thought of future needs, has been lavishly consumed. 



The proposition should appeal to all interests, for it is essen- 

 tially constructive, and conservative, with no element of friction in it. 



REMARKS OF AUSTIN A. BURNHAM, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE 

 NATIONAL BUSINESS LEAGUE OF AMERICA, AT THE NATIONAL 

 CONSERVATION CONGRESS AT ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, SEPTEM- 

 BER 8, 1910. 



Mr. President and Members of the National Conservation Congress: 

 I deeply appreciate the privilege, and am not insensible of the 

 honor, of briefly addressing this great Congress of representative 

 men in every field of human endeavor, who are met to plan for the 

 conservation of the natural resources of the nation. 



