^ FOREST POLICY. 



Man wood's definition referred to what may be called " Primeval 

 Forest," whereas more modern definitions refer to " Economic 

 Forests." The former are the result of the action of natural 

 forces only ; the latter are produced, for the greater part, by 

 man's interference with those forces. 



By " Forestry " is imderstood the human action directed to the 

 production and utiUzation of forest produce. It is based upon 

 the yield of the land and forms, therefore, part of agriculture in its 

 widest sense. Forestry, as now understood, was developed by 

 degrees in the course of time. The greater part of the dry land 

 of the earth was at one time covered with forest, which consisted 

 of a variety of trees and shrubs grouped according to the cHmate, 

 soil and configuration of the various localities. When the old 

 trees reached their limit of life they disappeared, and others took 

 their place. The conditions for an uninterrupted regeneration of 

 the forests were favourable, and the result was continuous produc- 

 tion. Then man came and interfered by degrees, untU in the 

 more advanced countries of the earth the area of the forest was 

 seriously reduced. Moreover, the creative power of the soil in the 

 remaining forest lands had become more or less impaired. Steps 

 had then to be taken to arrest a further reduction of the forest 

 area, artificial sowing and planting had to be done and the creative 

 power of the land restored, a task which forestry had to undertake. 



As long as the forests occupied a considerable part of the area, 

 their produce was considered the free gift of nature, Uke air and 

 water ; man took it, used it, and even destroyed it without let 

 or hindrance. Thus, Forest Utilization is the oldest branch of 

 forestry. 



With the gradual increase of population, more land was 

 required for the production of food for man and domestic animals, 

 and this was taken from the forest area. Reckless cutting and 

 burning consumed more forest, and a time came when it appeared 

 doubtful whether the natural woodlands could continue to yield 

 the required produce for any length of time. This caused 

 proprietary ideas to develop ; people claimed the ownership of 

 forest lands, proceeded to protect them against outsiders, and thus 

 developed that branch of forestry which is called Forest Protection. 

 Gradually the protection designed against man was extended to 

 measures which had for their object the preservation of forests 



