PREFACE. 



IN this volume it is proposed to treat of for- 

 ests and forestry from the standpoint of political 

 economy. 



The statesman, the student of economics, as 

 well as the layman who desires knowledge on 

 these matters, is to find here such information 

 as will enable him to form an intelligent view 

 and a true estimate of the position which forests 

 and forestry should occupy in our political house- 

 hold, or rather the position which the community 

 and governments should take with reference to 

 their forest resources ; it is to furnish a trust- 

 worthy basis for formulating public policy. At 

 the same time it is hoped that this presentation 

 of the subject will be acceptable to the growing 

 number of professional foresters, assisting them 

 in an intelligent survey of their art from a point 

 of view outside of that of the technicist. 



Hitherto the questions arising in connection with 

 the proper utilization of our forest resources and 

 with forest preservation have, in the United States, 

 been largely discussed in a popular way, mostly 

 by amateurs and laymen, who were without a 



