IMl'oUTANCE OF FORESTS 



385 



The forests of the United States cover about 550,000,000 

 acres, or more than one fifth of the total area. 



"Generally speaking, countries having over twenty per 

 cent of wood lands have fores! resources sufficient to 

 supply their lumber industries and their firewood con- 

 sumption, provided that such area is properly stocked 

 and conserved." — Schenck, "Fores! Policy," page 71. 



Yellow pine, which supplies one third of the Lumber 

 consumed in the United States, ranks first in value ; white 



Jk.jL. 



»»•»?■.«-— ^ j M ^ mt + ta^*-. . 



4 



Figure 419. — Young Plantation in the Adirondacks. 



pine, which formerly supplied the greatest amount, ranks 

 second; and Douglas fir, third. 



271. Related Topics. — Hardwood forests are compos 

 of trees which have broad leaves and flowers with typical 

 stamens and pistils. Such trees grow either alone or in 

 tracts containing many evergreens, Maple trees supply 

 sugar and syrup, the industry being important in Ohio 

 and Vermont. Other hardwood trees yield fuel, Lumber, 

 and nuts. 



272. Importance of Forests. — Forests are of the test 

 importance in preventing floods caused by the rapid melt- 

 ing of ice and snow. The snow melts more Blowly in the 



