123 AMERICAN FOKESTRY 



equivalent value. Box boards usually cut from white pine regardless of size 

 of the log or gnarliness of the tree, with wany edges and the bark still 

 adhering, bring more money today than did square-edge, clean, clear stock 

 not many years ago. A prominent Boston timber cruiser, who has spent 

 the past few years throughout the South, called at my office within ten days 

 and his version of the depletion of the natural forest products of that section 

 was really amazing. 



To my mind there are few subjects wherein the organizations represented 

 at this association need to participate more actively than that of forestry. 

 Just because there has not been a definite demand and apparent need until 

 now is not an excuse for present lethargy. 



The older members of this association can well remember the earnest and 

 farsighted appeal made to this body by the late Samuel B. Green, of the 

 University of Minnesota, Department of Forestry. Professor Green was par- 

 ticularly anxious that the Government be called upon to enact a law whereby 

 each State should have a definite appropriation yearly for carrying on 

 forestry work. The idea was carried as far as presenting the matter before 

 Congress H. K. 9219, and known as the Davis Forestry Bill. The bill called 

 for an appropriation of $5,000 by the National Government on condition that 

 each State appropriate a like sum. Professor Green said, ''when we think of 

 the enormous value of the forest output of this country, the amount requested 

 to educate young men to be competent to take care of this forest wealth, seems 

 trivial indeed. I do not wish to see .all the agricultural colleges attempting 

 to turn out professional foresters, and such would not be the effect of these 

 proposed expenditures ; but the result would be that in a short time we would 

 have a surplus of young men well trained in the basic principles of forestry^ 

 through whose efforts the forest sentiment of today would crystalize into a 

 permanent and helpful thing." 



Do we realize that this plan carried out would mean an expenditure 

 of only $250,000 a year from the National Government and as well furnish 

 an incentive for the States to take advantage of the assistance. This would 

 result in placing the work on a progressive foundation at once. 



For some reason, we did not take to the idea enthusiastically. There 

 is no legitimate reason even now for not using our present governmental funds 

 for this work, but this might cause necessary adjustment and financial com- 

 plication. Consequently we have been prone to let well enough alone. 



A DEFINITE POLICY IS NECESSARY 



One thing is certain, we are losing valuable time in not having a more 

 definite and well defined policy of development for forestry throughout the Na- 

 tion. While here and there our most progressive states are doing something in 

 forestry work which example is worthy and is gradually being followed by 

 others, nevertheless, we are one people and a fundamental industry so impor- 

 tant to the nation's welfare should enlist all educational leaders of rural 

 economics in its behalf. 



