COMMERCIAL FORESTRY 



When our forefathers came to these shores, 

 New England was a vast wilderness, a primeval 

 forest. We are told of the magnificent forests, 

 and how individual trees reached great propor- 

 tions throughout this whole section. Even the 

 decaying stumps still extant remind us that but 

 yesterday, in point of time, these monarchs of the 

 forest which had been growing for centuries were 

 with us. To-morrow a forest tree producing over 

 a thousand feet board measure will be a veritable 

 curiosity. We country-loving and public-spirited 

 people are extremely anxious that the nation re- 

 serve certain portions of the White Mountains 

 and the southern Appalachian range, that coming 

 generations may enjoy, take pride in and benefit 

 therefrom. A birthright for them as small as this 

 is a pittance compared with the vast and almost 

 endless expanse of virgin forest areas that was 

 ours. 



Viewing the subject as a whole, therefore, we 

 must recognize that the time is ripe for action and 

 public concern. To accomplish results, much 

 thoughtful study and definite systematic planning 

 must be done, in order that there will be no 

 obstructions in the way. Education and example 

 are our tools to work with. 



"Forestry is the science and art of forming and 

 cultivating forests; the management of growing 

 timber." Forestry, therefore, as the title of my 

 address indicates, is concerned with the economic 

 production of merchantable wood and timber. 

 Forestry should rightfully be thought of as a com- 

 mercial industry. The forest products of a coun- 

 try should be one of her greatest assets, just as 

 much as that of any other crop, agriculturally 

 speaking, and even more to be relied upon than 

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