HERMAN H. CHAPMAN 9 



all stages of forest crops, from the seedling up to the ma- 

 ture timber in the process of removal and reproduction. 



This conception of forestry has only dimly begun to 

 take root in the public mind in America. Too often, for- 

 estry means only forest preservation. The cutting of tim- 

 ber is fiercely opposed on general principles. In the con- 

 ception of such persons, public forests are merely public 

 parks, to be preserved as such. This view is at total va- 

 riance with the treatment of forests as crops of timber, and 

 where it prevails, the practice of forestry becomes impos- 

 sible. 



H. RELATION OF FORESTRY TO GOVERNMENT. 



But while timber is a crop, there are many features 

 which put it in a different class from the agricultural crops. 

 The latter are harvested annually and produce a constant 

 and regular income. Their production can be left entirely 

 to individuals, and the only relation which agriculture has 

 with the government is in the indirect efforts put forth by 

 experiment stations and through publications intended to 

 instruct farmers in better methods of cultivation. Could 

 the growing of timber be carried on exclusively by private 

 parties, to the complete satisfaction and safeguarding of 

 the interests of the public, the two occupations would be 

 very similar, and forestry might truly be regarded as mere- 

 ly a branch of agriculture. 



But universal experience proves the absolute contrary. 

 Whenever the management of forest lands has been left 

 entirely in private hands, the public interests are entirely 

 ignored and a short sighted, often ruinous policy of forest 

 destruction has been the rule, ultimately forcing the public, 

 through their governments, to interfere for their own pro- 

 tection. And in regions and countries where governments 

 have been unable or unwilling or not wise enough to in- 

 terfere, the final results have often been almost complete 

 ruin and depopulation of the country. 



