38 2 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



country. They exist in greatest variety and perfection on the continent of Europe; 

 therefore, it is self-evident that Europe is the place to go. 



There are those who belittle the importance of a visit to the forests of Europe. 

 It is not only pleasant and instructive, but absolutely essential. Who would employ 

 a forester who had never seen a well-cared-for forest? It is required of English 

 forestry students, and when English forest officers come home from India, although 

 the conditions in India are as unlike the conditions in Europe as is possible, they 

 visit the continent to gain a little refreshing encouragement as well as to learn 

 something of importance about their profession. 



It is not necessary to spend a long period of time there ; in fact, short visits are 

 preferable. Neither is it necessary to attend a German or French university ; in fact, 

 better not. But it is highly important that every forester should visit the important 

 typical forest regions of Europe long enough and often enough to gain an intelli- 

 gent comprehension of their management. 



One must not condemn nor praise everything, and must not judge too quickly. 

 Europe is too often rated by Americans who go in groups on personally-conducted 

 tours, stopping at hotels where English is spoken, and practically "doing" the 

 country in a most superficial and unprofitable fashion. Europeans generally have no 

 better opinion of such Americans than such Americans have of Europe. One knows 

 less about Europe after a sojourn of two years than one ordinarily thinks he knows 

 at the end of three months. It is extremely difficult to draw conclusions or make 

 comparisons. 



No American forester is stupid enough to think that all he sees in the forests of 

 Europe is directly applicable to this country, and that the State should at once proceed 

 to put a similar system in force here ; neither is he stupid enough to believe that he can 

 learn nothing in Europe which is applicable to this country. What one sees there is 

 quite as applicable to this country as it is to other countries, and more applicable 

 perhaps than what one sees in New Zealand or Australia, although both of these 

 countries are as new and modern as America. 



What one sees in Europe, India, or elsewhere is mainly suggestive. Even in for- 

 estry, Europe and other countries have received help and suggestions from other 

 countries, and even from America. American implements are gradually working into 

 Europe. Arbor Day is an American institution which has been adopted in several 

 European countries, and Europeans are using American species in greater numbers 

 every day. It is not uncommon to see forests of American locust, red fir, walnut, 

 tulip-poplar, red oak and other American trees in Europe. 



The visitor to Europe should not neglect above all things to study something 



