Introductory. 3 



of a timber famine agitated not only the dense popu- 

 lations of many European countries, but even the 

 scanty population of the United States, in spite of 

 the natural forest wealth which is still supplying us; 

 and not without good reason, for at that time wood 

 was the only fuel and rivers the only means of trans- 

 portation; hence local scarcity was to be feared and 

 was not unfrequently experienced when accessible 

 forest areas had been exploited. Railroad and canal 

 development and the use of coal for fuel changed 

 this condition on both continents. Now, with im- 

 proved means of transportation by land and by sea, 

 the questions of wood supply and of forestry develop- 

 ment, which at one time were of very local concern, 

 have become world questions, and he who proposes 

 to discuss intelligently forest conditions and forestry 

 movement in one country must understand what is 

 going on in other countries. 



As will appear from the study of the following 

 pages, with the exception of some parts of central 

 Europe or of some sporadic attempts elsewhere to 

 regulate forest use, the development of the forestry 

 idea belongs essentially to the 19th century, and 

 more especially to the second half, when the rapid 

 development of railroads had narrowed the world, 

 and the remarkable development of industries and 

 material civilization called for increased draft on 

 forest resources. 



Yet we are still largely ignorant as to the extent 

 of available forest area, not only in this country 

 but elsewhere: we do not know whether it be sufficient 

 in extent and yield to furnish a continuous supply 



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