CHAPTER XX 
FORESTRY 
181, Definition.—The term forestry is difficult to define, 
for it includes much more than is usually supposed. In 
general, it is the management of forests, so that they may 
serve their purpose; but the purpose of a forest includes 
many things. Forestry does not deal with individual trees, 
but with an assemblage of trees; perhaps it would be best 
defined as the management of woodland. There are two prom- 
inent aspects of forestry. Forests furnish wood crops, as 
wheat-fields furnish wheat crops; and from this standpoint 
forestry resembles agriculture. But forests also hold im- 
portant relations to climate, water-supplv, etc.; and from 
this standpoint they are to be considered as features of the 
earth’s surface. 
182. History of forestry.—The history of forestry in 
every country has been the same. At the first settling 
of a country by civilized people, the forests were looked 
upon as impediments to agriculture, and the clearing of 
the forest was a part of pioneer work. As forests cover 
most of the best land, this pioneer clearing was necessary. 
After agriculture became established, forests ceased to be 
regarded as impediments, and came to be prized us the source 
of timber supply. They were wastefully ravaged for this 
purpose, the best trees being culled out, countless young 
ones destroyed, and fires completing the reckless waste. 
European countries passed through this stage many years 
ago, and the United States is just emerging from it. When 
320 
