CHAPTER I 



PRELIMINARY REMARKS AND DEFINITIONS 



In the first part of this volume it has been indicated 

 that, under varying conditions of soil, climate, and 

 locality, the forest vegetation is liable to variations, 

 which are further affected by the fauna and population of 

 the country. It is the business of the forester to study 

 these various factors, and to apply his knowledge, both 

 in the creation and treatment of forests under his 

 charge, in order that they may reach and maintain 

 the maximum of utility for the benefit of the proprietor. 

 In so doing he is said to have the forest under " sylvi- 

 cultural treatment." 



The chief object for which forests are grown and 

 tended is for the production of timber or for firewood ; 

 but there are some which have as their chief asset some 

 other produce, such as gum, gutta-percha, or rubber. 

 There are other woods which are created or maintained 

 for other purposes, such as the fixation of shifting sands 

 or unstable slopes, the drainage of swampy localities, 

 for protection against wind, or even merely for the 

 addition to the local beauty of the locality, or for the 

 preservation of game, but these we can leave out of 

 consideration. 



In the formation of new woodland crops, where none 

 previously existed, the forester will generally rely on 

 artificial means, as e.g. by sowing or planting, although 

 in some cases, where the land is in the vicinity of 

 already standing forest, he may rely wholly or in part 



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