34 FOREST POLICY. 



serves aggregate, in March, 1892, 325,000 acres. 



Ranger training school in 1903. 



Vermont: Commission from 1882 to 1884. No results. 



West Virginia: In 1897-98 bill for commission and State re- 

 serves. No action. Forest insectology well advanced by Dr. Hop- 

 kins at the West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. 



Wisconsin: Creates in 1867 the first commission ever established 

 by any State, headed by Increase A. Latham. No results. 



In 189s, fire law after Minnesota pattern, but less effective. 



In 1897, commission of inquiry co-operating with Fernow and re- 

 porting through Filibert Roth. No tangible result. 



In 1898. fire warden law. 



REMARK: Data relative, to forestal history of States not enum- 

 erated are not available. For forestal conditions now prevailing com- 

 pare § XLIII. f.f. 



(XXXII.) HISTORY OF FOREIGN POLICY. 



Forest economy and forest management, like the economic use 

 of any commodity, are required only at a time when forest products 

 attain a value. 



In Central Europe, this time fell in the period of strong, single- 

 handed, aristocratic forms of government; and in the period of unde- 

 veloped means of freightage. 



This fortunate coincidence of facts has allowed Germany and 

 France to develop, in governmental and municipal forests, a conser- 

 vative system of forest utilization imitated but not equalled in other 

 European countries. 



When at the approach and in the beginning of the 19th century, 

 democratic ideas, mercantilism and improved facilities of transpor- 

 tation made their appearance, the principles of conservative forestry 

 had impressed the public mind, for decades of years, so forcibly that 

 they withstood the sway of altered conditions. Still, extreme finan- 

 cial stringency has forced European governments, repeatedly, to re- 

 duce the area of State forests. 



In America, the increasing value of timber and lumber allows 

 forestry to gradually dawn upon us. Will our form of government 

 show sufficient strength, counteracting the influence of a splendid 

 system of railroads joining the timbered region with the prairies as 

 well as the seaports, to allow the sun of forestry to rise and shine 

 forever? 



FRANCE. 



1666 Colbert's forest ordinance places all forests under government- 

 al control and forces private owners to adopt a management 

 similar to that prevailing in crown forests. 



1791-5 Almost y2 of State forests sold and spoiled; sales continue ir- 

 regularly during 19th century, reducing State forest area to 

 i/S of its pre revolutionary acreage, Al] rpg^rJcions of private 

 dispositions suddenly removed. 



