INTRODUCTORY 7 



done by planting seeds where the trees are to stand in the 

 forest, or in growing young trees in nurseries and trans- 

 planting them where they are to grow to maturity the 

 latter, except in the case of nut-bearing trees, being by far 

 the best system. Extensive tree-planting in some form is 

 an absolute necessity for the future welfare of this country. 

 While tree-growing is the prominent feature of this vol- 

 ume, it is deemed advisable to give, in addition, a general 

 view of the condition of our remaining forests, their possibil- 

 ities and limits, the best method to be pursued in caring for 

 them, and other matters that are necessary for a full un- 

 derstanding, by the plain people, of the fundamentals which 

 underlie the successful growing of trees for economic pur- 

 poses. Such knowledge is necessary intelligently to deter- 

 mine what is best to do under varying circumstances and 

 conditions. A general knowledge of how forests are grown 

 and cared for; the natural range and local habitat of the 

 several important timber trees of our country ; what treat- 

 ment each species should receive ; the character and uses 

 of the wood of each ; the difficulties surely to be encount- 

 ered ; and the peculiarity and characteristics of tree-life and 

 tree-growth should be understood, in order to arrive at an 

 intelligent conclusion as to what and where to plant. If the 

 author has so shown all this that it will be readily under- 

 stood, and if what is herein set forth will stimulate an ef- 

 fort to grow trees and thus aid in saving our country from 

 irreparable disaster, then his aim will be fully accomplished. 



