FOREWORD 
OSS 
In the summer and autumn of 1921 it was the privilege of the writer, during a period 
of sabbatic leave from Cornell University, to visit a number of the countries of northern Eur- 
ope. His main object in making this trip was to obtain first hand acquaintance with cer- 
tain features of the forests and forestry work of these countries, particularly with reference 
to his work as a teacher of forestry and also because of the bearing that European experience 
has on some of the forest problems of the United States. 
The eight letters here reprinted were written as contributions to the LumMBER WorLp Re- 
view, at the request of the editor and publisher of that journal, Mr. Bolling Arthur Johnson. 
Written en route as they were, these letters make no pretension of covering comprehensively 
the forest work of any of the countries visited. Rather the idea was to present in a non- 
technical way the personal reaction of one American forester to certain European forest 
practices. Their publication in this form is made with the thought that some of the matters 
commented upon may be of interest to foresters and timberland owners in the United States. 
If they serve to quicken an interest in what is being done in forestry overseas, their purpose 
will have been achieved. 
. 
Grateful acknowledgment is here made to all those foresters of whatever station with 
whom the writer came in contact while abroad for the very many courtesies which he received 
at their hands. In almost every one of the letters he has had occasion to refer to the cor- 
diality of the welcome accorded him. He wishes here once more to express his keen and 
lasting appreciation of all that was done to assist and aid him in accomplishing the objects 
that he had in mind. He can but feel that such contacts as are establishéd by meetings of 
this type go a long way toward increasing mutual understanding and good relations between 
this country and our friends overseas. 
—RALPH 8. HOSMER. 
Department of Forestry . 
Cornell University 
Ithaca, N. Y. , 
June 27, 1922 
(5) 
