14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



of our country will be carried on at greater expense 

 as wood becomes scarcer and its substitutes become 

 dearer. Agriculture, commerce and mining will great- 

 ly miss the cheap supply of wood to which they have 

 been accustomed. 



The nation is awakening to the necessity of planting 

 trees and making the most of those that are mature. 

 Our institutions of learning are taking up the study 

 of forestry. State societies are inquiring. The ex- 

 periment stations of the several States and Territories 

 are making research. The Department of Agriculture 

 is training a Bureau of forest experts in woodcraft 

 to serve the nation, the States, companies and indi- 

 viduals along forestry lines. 



There are hopeful forestry signs : 



A disposition among lumber companies to hold cut- 

 over lands, protect them from fire, encourage a new 

 growth, and harvest the young forest, requires the es- 

 tablishment of forestry schools in colleges and univer- 

 sities where the science of forestry is being taught in 

 the light of experience. 



The employment of foresters by large private own- 

 ers, who find that educated supervision is a prime 

 necessity. 



Reforesting of large areas is being carried on by the 

 Bureau of Forestry and by several States, for the 

 purpose of giving object lessons to our people with 

 regard to methods of planting and varieties of trees. 

 The farmer is inquiring and planting for wind-breaks, 

 fuel, and in many cases he is planting valuable varieties 

 for coming generations. 



Scientific study is preparing a reliable foundation 

 for practical forestry, with regard to the principles 

 that govern the life of trees in different conditions of 

 soil and climate. 



Cooperation between the Department of Agriculture 



