[IV] 



natural sources are well nigh exhausted, yet shrinking from the un- 

 familiar task of seeking to supply the deficiency by artificial means. 



Many once powerful nations have dwindled mto insignificance in 

 consequence of their neglect of this lesson which nature imperatively 

 demands that we should learn. Their fate should be to us a warn- 

 ing, as the efforts of the most intelligent nations of to-day should 

 be to us an example, to save us from a hke fate. The necessity 

 for action is imminent, and can not be averted. The subject of the 

 increasing demand and rapidly diminishing supply of timber through- 

 out the country, has been so thoroughly discussed by legislative 

 committees, both State and National, by agricultural societies and 

 by able individual writers, that it would seem but a waste of time 

 to bring forward the oft-repeated statistics in evidence of the danger 

 that threatens us, and the urgent need of adoptmg measures of 

 protection and relief. 



Assuming, therefore, that my readers are familiar with the data 

 which prove the necessity, I pass at once to the consideration -of 

 the means of averting the danger. 



The only measure of relief thus far suggested with ^any definite 

 prospect of success, is the planting of new forests. Much has been 

 said, it is true, about the preservation of those that remain; but 

 the words seem meaningless, in view of the fact that private prop- 

 erty is beyond the control of the Government, and Congress de- 

 clines even to grant means to prevent the destruction of that which 

 still pertains to the pubhc domain. 



The planting of new forests is indeed an all-important work, which 

 can not be too strongly urged, but we have not yet reached the 

 period when it is likely to be successfully inaugurated, except, per- 

 haps, in occasional instances by railroad or manufacturing compa- 

 nies, with a view to their own future wants. Individuals wiU not 

 engage, to any great extent, in a work which demands the invest- 

 ment not only of a l&,rge amount of money, and the continuous ex- 

 penditure of a great deal of labor, but also of a long period of time, 

 which is the one form of capital of which we never have a surplus. 

 It behooves us, therefore, to study rather more closely than we have 

 heretofore done, the possibility of improving the condition of that 

 which remains. The woods still standing contain a vast amount of 

 available material which is susceptible of development in far less 

 time than would be required for the planting and growth of new 

 forests, our utter neglect of which furnishes one of the most striking 

 proofs of our ignorance of forest culture. 



No one can travel through any portion of the States east of the 

 prairie regions, without being impressed by the fact that he is never 

 out of sight of woodland. In fact, the chief cause of the prevaUing 

 apathy on the subject of forest planting, arises from the fact of the 

 great abundance of groves and extended forests, which convey the 

 impression, in spite of the assertions of statieians, that there is still 

 enough wood growing to supply the place of that which is removed. 



The Duke of Argyle, in the interesting sketch of his trip through 

 the States, published after his return to England, says emphatically 

 that nothing in the aspect of the couiitry surprised and impressed 

 him so much as the great amount of 'wood stiU remaining, and 

 everywhere giving beauty and variety to the landscape ; but he 



