256 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



The educational campaign, which you recognize as necessary, it 

 seems to me should be conducted in all phases simultaneously, in 

 the school as well as the convention, etc. Unfortunately, we are 

 short of educators and educational means. There is no text- 

 book fit to be introduced in the schools, there is no guide to be 

 handed to the would-be forester ; and here, too, we will have to 

 be patient until these are provided, meanwhile doing the best we 

 can for the time, to keep people on the lookout for scraps of 

 knowledge we gather and disseminate. 



As to the good effect of exemption from taxation, this is ques- 

 tionable ; the tax amounts to but little ; and, after all, it is not 

 that we want to prevent the cutting, but only the wanton cutting 

 without care for reproduction. 



If you want any definite advance in the forestry interests of 

 your State, place them in the hands of one man, whose sole duty 

 is to look after them, and pay him for that. We are doing too 

 much dilettante work in this and other lines, and in the multipli- 

 cation of our duties we cannot do any one well. 



Your paper I have returned to Dr. Fisher. 



Hoping to have, at least in part, suitably replied to your com- 

 munication, 



I am yours very truly, 



B. E. Fernow, 

 Chief of Forestry Division. 



It is thereby seen that Professor Fernow compliments the 

 State on being in the advance as to laws, but can see room 

 for still further advancement in woodland management. 



We thereby see that we must wait patiently for proper 

 text-books upon the subject, and then look for a greater 

 popular desire or demand for knowledge to arise, which shall 

 result in its being gratified ; and a scientific treatment of 

 our woods follow, that should give us real forests in accord- 

 ance with Professor Fernow's definition of them. We know 

 that older countries have found such treatment indispensa- 

 ble, and it can be only a matter of time before forestry 

 management will be deemed necessary here. We must " be 

 patient," meanwhile, doing the best we can to keep the sub- 

 ject before the people, in the hope that we shall be provided 

 with suitable text-books for both school and forester when 

 they are needed. 



