A Policy of Forestry for the Nation 



BY HENRY S. GRAVES 



A national policy of forestry seeks the protection 

 Mini beneficial utilization of our present forest re- 

 sources, the renewal after cutting of forests on lands 

 not needed for agriculture and settlement, the sta- 

 bility of forest industries and of satisfactory condi- 

 tions for forest workers, and the restoration of forest 

 jri'nwth on lands now unproductive and idle. 



The public interests in the continuance of forests 

 justify and require direct ownership of extensive 

 areas, and also participation by the public in working 

 out the problem of protection and renewal of private 

 forests. A program of forestry for the nation should 

 include action by the public through the Government 

 and the States, action by land owners and operators, 

 and the means of uniting the efforts of all for the 

 achievement of a common purpose. 



The service of forests is not alone local : it is na- 

 tional as well. For the products are widely distribut- 

 ed without reference to State lines, the industries are 

 engaged in interstate business, and the protective 

 benefits of forests often extend far beyond the lo- 

 calities where they are situated. It is the function of 

 the Federal government to take the leadership in 

 formulating a national economic policy that gives con- 

 sideration to the relationship of all forests to the in- 

 dustrial life of the country. The central Government 

 alone can bring about concurrent and harmonious 

 action within given regions. Its research and edu- 

 cational work may be directed to the problems of the 



