RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF FORESTS 48: 



Whether the United States is admin- which do not belong to it, and it shal 



istering its forests in the best manner seek to possess them, the state mus 



possible to produce the fullest yield, is purchase them of the owners by agree 



not a point that need now be consid- inent, or exercise its right of eminen 



ered. If it is not, that certainly can domain and pay such sums therefor a: 



be remedied; but those who anticipate may be adjudged under legal process 



larger returns from government lands In either case, the cost would, no doubt 



must bear in mind that most of the be prohibitive. There may be thos< 



timber lands owned by it are in moun- who would favor such proceedings a 



tainous regions, where intensive for- any cost, but they should remember tha 



estry will be found extremely difficult, no matter who owns them, such for 



if not impossible, and that much of ests must be harvested in the near fu 



the present stand must be maintained ture to supply the demand for fores 



intact in order to preserve the water- products, nor should the power of emi 



sheds of the rivers that are to be used nent domain be tyrannically invoked, 



for irrigation. Of course, the govern- So it will be seen that there is littl< 



ment may possibly increase its forest probability that many states will secun 



area by planting trees where none now productive forests to any appreciabli 



are, and it is gratifying to know that extent. However, the state of Nev 



vigorous efforts are being made in that York has purchased quite a large are; 



direction. But it must be understood of such forests, but not one tree thereii 



that the forest trees of the Great West can be cut until the state's constitutiot 



are not suited for all locations. In shall be amended ; while Pennsylvania 



fact, the most important ones have been New Jersey, and Minnesota, and possi 



found to flourish only in their natural bly one or two other states, have se 



habitat. cured some lands, upon which there i: 



Notwithstanding that government a young growth coming on, and fron 



ownership of our timber lands seems which a small amount of timber cai 



inconsiderable, it may appear in a dif- soon be harvested ; but, in the main 



ferent light when we compare it with we must wait until forests grow. P 



that of European nations where the change of ownership will help little 



crown and state of the German Empire the need of the hour is more forests 



own but thirty-three per cent of the Therefore, about all that can be con 



productive forests within her borders, sistently and profitably be done by th( 



the government of France thirteen, and states in their governmental capacity i: 



the crown and state of Austria seven ; to purchase land now practically de- 



and that, too, where forestry has been void of forests and grow new one; 



systematically- carried on for more than thereon, and when grown, to so con 



150 years. Rut for all this, it must not serve them that they will yield a con 



be inferred that anv thought is enter- tinuous supply ; and this also brings uf 



tained that the United States govern- the question of ownership and exploita 



ment should not do all reasonable things tion of natural resources by state gov- 



within its power to maintain our for- ernments, quite the same as in the case 



ests in perpetual usefulness, for it cer- of forests owned by the national gov- 



tainly should ; but that is not the ques- eminent. That the states should owi 



tion under consideration. We are dis- and manage forests to a limited extent 



cussing onlv its ability to d<>. will, doubtless, be conceded by moxi 



When we consider the part that our economists, and possibly some wou1< 



state governments can and should take set no limit : but that question need noi 



in caring for the forests we find a here be discussed any more than be 



some\vhat different condition. Few fore, for conditions govern here as well 



states now hold land by sovereign right, and put a limit beyond which it ap 



a> does the United States government, pears impracticable if not impossible 



Nearly all the older stales disposed of to go; and we must accept such con- 



their original possessions long ago. ll dilions and do the best we can. There 



there exist, within any State, forests are some states in which there is com 



