PREFACE 



The American Forest Congress, the proceedings of 

 which make up this volume, was held at Washington, 

 D. C., January 2 to 6, 1905, under the auspices of the 

 American Forestry Association. The purpose of this 

 Congress, as stated in the official call, was "to estab- 

 lish a broader understanding of the forest in its rela- 

 tion to the great industries depending upon it; to 

 advance the conservative use of forest resources for 

 both the present and future need of these industries; 

 to stimulate and unite all efforts to perpetuate the 

 forest as a permanent resource of the nation." 



That the time was ripe for such a meeting was 

 proven by the splendid attendance, both in numbers 

 and personnel, from every section of the country. 

 From its inception the plan for the Congress had the 

 approval of the President of the United States, as well 

 as many of the most prominent persons in the official 

 and industrial life of the country. As a result the 

 American Forest Congress turned out to be not only 

 the most important meeting ever devoted to forestry 

 in the United States, but one of the most influential 

 gatherings that has given its attention to an economic 

 subject. It is not too much to say that from the date 

 of this Congress forestry has come to have a new 

 meaning to the American people. 



It was the wish of the delegates that, in view of the 

 very comprehensive treatment of the subject of forestry 

 at the several sessions of the Congress, that the pro- 

 ceedings should be collected in permanent form, which 

 explains the making of this volume. The plan fol- 



