FOREST AND FORESTRY DEFINED. 99 



direction to secure better results, quantitatively 

 and qualitatively. 



It is in the application of the economic point 

 of view, in relegating forest growth to non-agri- 

 cultural soils, in influencing its composition and 

 its development toward usefulness, in securing its 

 reproduction in a manner more satisfactory to 

 human wants and human calculations, than na- 

 ture's fitful performances promise, that the for- 

 ester's forest differs. 



Forestry in more or less developed form is 

 begun when this economic point of view is ap- 

 plied, when care, however slight, is bestowed 

 upon the virgin wood to secure its improvement 

 and continuance. 



Before the finer methods of forest management 

 become practicable under such economic condi- 

 tions as surround us, a common-sense manage- 

 ment may be possible, which consists in more 

 careful utilization of the natural forest, protecting 

 it against fire, fostering young volunteer growth 

 of the better kinds, by keeping out cattle, and in 

 general avoiding whatever prevents a satisfactory 

 reproduction of the natural woods. For large 

 sections of this country, this will for some time 

 to come be the only forestry that is practicable, 

 namely, wherever distance from market for infe- 

 rior material makes finer methods unprofitable or 

 impracticable. 



Finally, however, the art in its fullest and finest 



