THE TRAINING OF A FORESTER 



Forestry, then, is seen to be peculiarly 

 essential to the national prosperity, both 

 now and hereafter. National degradation 

 and decay have uniformly followed the ex- 

 cessive destruction of forests by other 

 nations, and will inevitably become our por- 

 tion if we continue to destroy our forests 

 three times faster than they are produced, 

 as we are doing now. The principles of 

 forestry, therefore, must occupy a command- 

 ing place in determining the future pros- 

 perity or failure of our nation, and this 

 commanding position in the field of ideas is 

 naturally and properly reflected in the 

 dignity and high standing which the pro- 

 fession of forestry, young as it is, has already 

 acquired in the United States. This posi- 

 tion it must be the first care of every member 

 of the profession to maintain and increase. 



In the long run, no profession rises 

 higher than the degree of public considera- 



26 



