FORESTRY OF JAPAN. 

 CHAPTER I. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



Along the western shore of the Pacific, there lies a group 

 of numerous islands stretched in a serpent like form covered 

 with rich verdant growths over two thirds of the area of the 

 land. These verdant growths are none other than the forests 

 of the Empire of Japan. The wholesome effects produced 

 upon the land and the people by these forests are both 

 striking and remarkable. The Japanese by nature love their 

 forests and derive enjoyment from the prosperous and luxuri- 

 ant growth of the same. The burning patriotism and the 

 refined aesthetic ideas of the Japanese are in a large measure 

 the outcome of the influence exerted upon the minds of the 

 people by these forests. 



The people under this influence have formed habits and 

 manners inherent to them and naturally they have early came 

 to recognize their duties in relation to the forests. They have 

 not slackened their constant and minute attention to the 

 problem of the permanent preservation of these forests by 

 taking proper measures for their regeneration so as to make 

 a sufficient supply against the demand for forest produces 

 which is steadily growing from year to year. 



