THE PRESENT SITUATION OF FORESTRY* 



BY CHIEF FORESTER HENRY S. GRAVES 



REVIEW of the work of for- sence of better transportation and com- 



estry in this country during the munication facilities and v;ithout a 



past year shows that, in many di- larger patrol force than the Forest 



rections, there has been substantial Service could put into the field, it never- 



progress and positive achievements. On theless showed how, even under the 



the other hand, the continued organized present conditions, the work of protec- 



attacks on the National Forest system, tion could be made more effective. Full 



and the efforts to break it down or crip- use was made of the experience gained 



pie it, present a situation of real danger in that year, and during the past two 



which the country should realize and seasons the loss by fire has been kept 



vigorously meet. We have before us a down to a comparatively small amount 



task of constructive activity in practical through the efficient system now in 



work, extending and building on foun- force. The problem, however, of fire 



dations already laid; we have also the protection on the National Forests is 



task of preventing a destructive attack far from being solved. There still re- 



upon National forestry. main to be built some 80,000 miles of 



During the past few years public in- trails, 45,000 miles of telephone lines, 



terest in forestry has been rapidly man y miles of roads, many lookout sta- 



changing from a mere inquiry in regard tions > and otner improvements, before 



to its purpose to a vigorous demand for even the primary system of control will 



practical results. This more intelligent have been established. The funds at 



public sentiment is now finding its ex- the disposal of the Forest Service are 



pression in a growing appreciation of stl11 inadequate to employ the patrolmen 



the need of better forest laws, greater needed to meet more than an ordinary 



State appropriation for fire control, and emergency. There is even yet danger, 



increasing interest in forest protection therefore, that in the case of a great 



by private timberland owners. It often drought, like that of 1910, some fires 



happens that public attention is caught mi S ht S am the mastery and a similar 



only by the most striking new de- disaster follow. 



partures and developments, such as a An account of the progress of the 

 change in public policy or important leg- work of the Forest Service in the ad- 

 islation, while but little is known of the ministration of the National Forests 

 steady advance in applied forestry. The would be an enumeration of the differ- 

 past year has been signalized not so ent activities in which the work is going 

 much by new undertakings as by on with constantly growing effective- 

 marked accomplishment in the effective ness. Many of the local difficulties of 

 carrying out of work previously inaugu- administration are rapidly disappearing, 

 rated. This is due to the steadily closer co- 

 ordination of the interests of the Gov- 



PROGRESS IN NATIONAL FORESTRY eminent with those of the people living 



in and using the Forests. More and 



Every year shows increased efficiency more these people are coming to appre- 



in the administration of the National ciate that their interests and those of 



Forests. The most conspicuous advance the National Forests are one. With a 



has been in organized fire protection, better understanding of the aims and 



The disastrous year of 1910 taught methods of the Forest Service, local 



many lessons. While that disaster difficulties are disappearing and local 



could not have been avoided in the ab- support of the Service is largely replac- 



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