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THE STUDY OF FORESTRY. 



The forest resources of Brazil are unmatched anywhere in the world. 

 In extent, in number of species of trees, in potential values of products, 

 the Brazilian forests are unique. They promise to be a factor of pro- 

 found importance in the economic development of the country. Their 

 permanent service in the upbuilding of Brazil will, however, depend upon 

 the manner in which they are handled. It would be a great misfortune 

 if they were exploited with the same disregard of the permanent interests 

 of the nation that has characterized the history of the forests of the 

 United States. With the application of sound and practical methods of 

 forestry, the forest resources of Brazil will serve indefinitely as a source 

 of great national wealth. 



A GREAT FIELD FOR FORESTRY. 



In many sections of Brazil the forests have already been heavily cut. 

 A large part of this cutting has been largely done in clearing land for cul- 

 tivation and pasture. There is, however, a considerable export trade in 

 certain classes of timber and in various special products of the forest, and 

 lumber is being cut in increasing quantities for home consumption. It is 

 inevitable that in the near future there will be a much greater demand 

 from other countries for Brazilian timber. The virgin forests in the tem- 

 perate regions are being depleted very rapidly. Very soon America must 

 look elsewhere for substitutes for hickory, ash, walnut, high-grade oak, 

 and other material. It is a great opportunity for Brazil to supply this 

 need. As soon as the qualities of the local species are better known, for- 

 eign manufacturers will demand them. There will then come the prob- 

 lem of exploration and research to determine the location of merchantable 

 bodies of timber; capital and modern methods of lumbering will be 

 needed to exploit the forests; and a lumber industry of great magnitude 

 will be built up which will be an important factor in the economy of the 

 nation. But in its own protection and to guard its future interests 

 Brazil will have to see to it that the forests are cut in a way to insure per- 

 petuation and to prevent devastation. 



Brazil has already taken the first step in the passing of a comprehensive 

 forest code. Undoubtedly further legislation is required to establish 

 and build up the organizations necessary to carry on the public work in 

 forestry. In the United States but little progress in forestry was made 

 until the Federal Government undertook the proper administration of 

 the lands owned by the Nation and until there was in the country a body 

 of professional foresters. The early American foresters obtained their 



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