INTRODUCTION 



will catch the rains and hold them and freshen the whole 

 country with the influence of deep, rich woodlands. It 

 was characteristic of the giant Allenby that he had 

 turned from idea to quick practice and, as a flash of 

 whim and poesy, had initiated a campaign of tree plant- 

 ing along with the rigors of war. 



This is a recollection that during the years that had 

 elapsed, had passed back into the dimness of memory. It 

 was brought to clear reminiscence by a man and a book, 

 by Captain Richard St. Barbe Baker and his present 

 work, **Men of the Trees." In his person and in his turn 

 of mind Captain Baker reminds me of dozens of similar 

 British officers whom I have met in many parts of the 

 world, a soldier devoted to some scholarly and scientific 

 idealism. He is in all respects the blue eyed, ruddy faced, 

 red mustached, British soldier type. The Britisher most 

 often displays the characteristic British reserve in all 

 matters, including his pet enthusiasm. Captain Baker, 

 though, cannot hold himself to the often somewhat 

 wooden British restraint, where the subject of trees is 

 concerned. In his love for forestry he wears his heart on 

 his sleeve. His manner becomes animated. His eyes 

 widen. He speaks with a rushing enthusiasm — the won- 

 der of trees — the necessity of forest conservation and 

 reforestation — how fair fields will turn into desert if 

 they keep destroying the trees — how arid wastes will 

 bloom with the greenness of life and the colors of the 

 flowers, if they will reforest. You feel the passion and the 

 earnestness of the man who has given his life to a great 



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