UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



The great and exuberant republic of the United 

 States, vast in extent and rich in natural resources 

 generally, excelled and still excels in extent, im- 

 portance and value of her timber resources; and, 

 having only lately begun to inaugurate rational forest 

 policies, promises to become of all-absorbing inter- 

 est to foresters. 



The marvelous growth of the nation, which from 

 three million in 1780 had attained to a population of 

 76 million in 1900, and, by the last Census numbered 

 around 92 million people, has been the wonder of 

 the world by reason of its rapid expansion ; and yet 

 the limit is far from being reached. Annually some 

 three-quarters of a million or more immigrants from 

 all parts of the world arrive, and there is still room and 

 comfortable living for at least another 100 million, 

 if the resources are properly treated. 



The large land area of nearly two billion acres (over 

 three million square miles) is undoubtedly the richest 

 contiguous domain of such size in the world, located 



Report upon Forestry, 1878-9, by Dr. F. B. Hough; contains references to 

 the earlier history of forest development. 



History of the Lumber Inauslry, by J. E. Defebaugh, 1906-7; is valuabla as 

 a reference to statistical matter. 



Report upon Forestry Investigations of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, 1877-1898, by B. E. Fernow. House Document No. 181, 55th 

 Congress; contains amplifications of the matter contained in this chapter. 



Annual and other reports issued by the Department of Agriculture, by the 

 various State Forest Commissions, and Forestry Associations. 



For latest developments, consult Conservation (American Forestry) and 

 Forestry Quarterly. 



