248 A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



ful usage of all the forest resources. Most of these reserves 

 are in the far West, but since the federal government has 

 appropriated about twelve million dollars to purchase east- 

 ern reserves, we now have some national forests In the Appa- 

 lachian region. 



THE FARMER'S WOOD LOT 



The fanner and forestry. Even though the national gov- 

 ernment does own nearly two hundred million acres of for- 

 est, and private and corporate interests own many millions 

 more, the greatest bulk of forests is owned and controlled by 

 the farmers. We must look to them for our future timber 

 supply. Are they using and conserving wisely this great nat- 

 ural resource? 



It is more practical and of more general value to the coun- 

 try that the farmer practice the principles of good forestry 

 on his wood lot than that the government own large reserva- 

 tions. There are many reasons why the farmer should and 

 could be governed by modern forestry principles in the man- 

 agement of his wood lot. The land is his, he has time to look 

 after his forest, to study its needs and requirements, he needs 

 the timber for farm operations, he can protect it from fire, 

 preserve the young trees, and plant more as needed. 



If all of the eight million farmers of this country would 

 plant or wisely manage wood lots, the general forest condi- 

 tions and the lumber supply of the country would be greatly 

 improved. All non-agricultural lands, such as steep hillsides, 



