32 PRACTICAL FORESTRY IN 



community, but will hesitate to forego present revenue in 

 order to reap greater future revenue until convinced that the 

 owner will actually reforest if given the chance. Even if no 

 actual desire to take advantage is ascribed, there may be fear 

 that he will make no active effort to start and protect the sec- 

 ond crop, but will merely continue the course of least expense 

 in the hope that a new forest will establish itself, with little 

 to lose if it fails. Before he will receive the encouragement 

 he deserves, he must prove his good faith. The surest way 

 to do this is to begin actual work now, where he can without 

 certainty of failure. Unfortunately, this is often impossible, 

 but he can at least study and experiment so he can argue con- 

 vincingly that mutual success will follow reasonable en- 

 couragement. 



Circumstances Determine Profit 



Let us assume, then, that it is best for the lumberman to 

 start the practice of forestry for the purpose of strengthening 

 his position and getting the most favorable conditions possi- 

 ble for its general adoption and continuance. How much does 

 he depend upon success in this ? Obviously, early public favor 

 will hasten and add to the security of forest growing as a 

 business, but is it absolutely essential? Do existing condi- 

 tions and inevitable future conditions, regardless of public in- 

 telligence, furnish premises upon which we can calculate cer- 

 tain profit in some degree ? 



This depends upon the circumstances of the individual in- 

 vestor. Without an expectation of more favorable fire and 

 tax influences, reforestation cannot be universally recom- 

 mended as a business proposition. Many timber owners are 

 not warranted in undertaking it. Not enough are warranted 

 in doing so to insure the future timber supply upon which 

 public welfare depends. Nevertheless, there are conditions 

 under which it is a good investment. It is even probable that 

 for those who are well situated, the very obstacles which deter 

 others will be advantageous through reducing competition. 



