CHAPTER XX 



FORESTRY 



181. Definition. The term forestry is difficult to define, 

 for it includes much more than is usually supposed. In 

 general, it is the management of forests, so that they may 

 serve their purpose; but the purpose of a forest includes 

 many things. Forestry does not deal with individual trees, 

 but with an assemblage of trees; perhaps it would be best 

 defined as the management of woodland. There are two prom- 

 inent aspects of forestry. Forests furnish wood crops, as 

 wheat-fields furnish wheat crops; and from this standpoint 

 forestry resembles agriculture. But forests also hold im- 

 portant relations to climate, water-supply, etc.; and from 

 this standpoint they are to be considered as features of the 

 earth's surface. 



182. History of forestry. The history of forestry in 

 every country has been the same. At the first settling 

 of a country by civilized people, the forests were looked 

 upon as impediments to agriculture, and the clearing of 

 the forest was a part of pioneer work. As forests cover 

 most of the best land, this pioneer clearing was necessary. 

 After agriculture became established, forests ceased to be 

 regarded as impediments, and came to be prized as the source 

 of timber supply. They were wastefully ravaged for this 

 purpose, the best trees being culled out, countless young 

 ones destroyed, and fires completing the reckless waste. 

 European countries passed through this stage many years 

 ago, and the United States is just emerging from it. When 



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