PREFACE 



THE sincere but mistaken belief that our forests were 

 inexhaustible was quite a natural one. Such a conclu- 

 sion arose from their vast extent and vigorous growth, and 

 when a cry for their protection and conservation was heard, 

 it was, at first, deemed but a repetition of theory of "Wolf ! " 

 in the fable, and was unheeded. In the beginning the cry 

 was very faint and apparently far away ; but it grew louder 

 and nearer as the danger of irreparable disaster became 

 more imminent, and we now hear it in strong voice and on 

 every hand. As this awakening to the impending danger 

 has become widespread, there arises in the public mind a 

 strong and earnest desire to know (1) whether the pro- 

 ductive capacity of the forests of our country is adequate 

 to meet the demands which will inevitably be made upon 

 them; and, if not, (2) whether any system of conserva- 

 tion which will make it adequate can be devised and ap- 

 plied. Moreover, the public desires to know (3) whether 

 planting new forests on non-agricultural land, where the 

 axe of the lumberman and successive fires have destroyed 

 all valuable tree-growth, is practicable ; and, if so, (4) 

 what species of trees would best be grown, where they 

 should be planted, and how they can best be propagated 

 and cared for. 



A comprehensive answer to the first two of these in- 

 quiries must take cognizance of the condition of existing 

 forests and, likewise, their possible future productive capa- 

 city. Such answer should show whether we are consuming 

 our forests faster than they grow ; and whether, under any 

 system of forest management, they can be made to meet 

 such future demands as the inevitable increase of popula- 

 tion and new uses for forest products are sure to bring 

 about. And the answer to the last two will, necessarily, 



