

CHAPTER III 

 FOREST DEVASTATION 



" Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth." 



EPISTLE OF JAMES. 



LET us understand clearly at the outset just what is 

 meant by devastation of the forest. There is a sort of 

 weak sentimentalism which laments the destruction of 

 any tree, no matter how well matured or what the purpose 

 to which the timber is applied. This foolish feeling is not 

 what the real forester is trying to develop, nor is it that 

 which will gain the respect of the general public. There is 

 too frequently, however, a purely wanton destruction for 

 purposes in themselves not worthy, a using of partly grown 

 trees, which if left would be much more useful at another 

 time ; or more often a careless or thoughtless destruction 

 for no purpose whatever, a sheer waste of timber. This 

 useless destruction of forests is what we mean by devasta- 

 tion. 



No person need regret the felling of a full-grown tree, when 

 the timber is properly used. A tree, like any other plant, 

 grows, matures and declines. Some mature in a few 

 years and some take centuries, but once they mature they 

 should be used or they will decay. In the same way we need 

 not deplore the clearing away of forests, if the land is to be 



21 



