INTRODUCTION xix 



many years of time and patience to see the expected 

 and promised results, that an individual would not 

 live to see the success of his labors. Thejndividual 

 becomes easily discouraged and is especially affected 

 by financial conditions. The Government, on the 

 other hand, having unlimited resources at its com- 

 mand can more readily afford to wait for results. 

 In fact every consideration of national welfare 

 urges the Government to carry it on; it is a sure 

 source of revenue, there is none less fluctuating, and 

 it is closely connected with the manifold industries 

 of life. Its chief product is wood, without which 

 the human race, so far, has not succeeded in manag- 

 ing its affairs, and which will therefore always have 

 a sale value. 



THE EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF OUR 

 NATIONAL FORESTS 



'V 



How the Government Obtained the National 

 Forest Lands. Probably the first question that will 

 occur to my reader concerning the National Forests 

 is, How did the Government acquire them? To 

 answer this question we have but to turn back the 

 pages of history to the close of the Revolutionary 



