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PART I. 



THE FOUNDATION OF FOEEST POLICY. 



CHAPTER I. — THE UTILITY OF FORESTS. 



Forests are, in the economy of man and of nature, of direct and 

 indirect utility, the former through their produce, and the latter 

 through the influence which they exercise upon climate, the 

 regulation of moisture, the stability of the soil, and their sanitary, 

 ethic and aesthetic effect upon man. 



The utility of forests may be considered from the point of view 

 of the owner or from that of the State. The private owner 

 considers chiefly the benefits which he personally derives from the 

 forests ; the State considers also the effects which they have upon 

 the welfare of the people and the country as a whole. Hence, the 

 former is chiefly concerned with the direct effects, and the State 

 with both the direct and indirect effects. 



SECTION I.-THE DIRECT UTILITY OF FORESTS. 



It is divided into Major or Principal produce, comprising wood, 

 and Minor or Secondary produce, comprismg all other items. 



1. Major Produce. 



The yield in wood is obtained from periodic thinnings, or inter- 

 mediate cuttings, and from the final cuttings at the age of maturity. 

 The strength of the thinnings and the time of their execution are 

 the most important matters with which the forester has to deal. 

 If they are made too light, the remaining trees will not receive that 

 growing space which is best for their future development ; if they 

 are too heavy, the final returns are likely to be seriously reduced 

 in quantity and quality, while the soil is exposed to deterioration 

 through exposure. At the same time, the yield from thinnings 

 favourably influences the financial results of forestry, provided 



