X MISCELLANEOUS CIRCULAR 91 



of its plant and animal life, and the charm of its 

 varied scenery, the forest has precious resources of 



interest and pleasure for people of all ag 



The friendship and service of the forest to the hu- 

 man race have been but poorly appreciated. Many a 

 nation has abused and destroyed its forest wealth, and 

 in the end has bad to suffer for so doing. China with 

 its floods and famines stands as an example of the 

 consequences of forest destruction. In European 

 countries like France and Germany these consequences 

 were foreseen in time, and the forests were many 

 years ago placed under systems of management which 

 maintain them in full productiveness from one gener- 

 ation to another. The forests of America, once the 

 finest and most abundant in the world, are dwindling 

 before the ax and the flame. It is not use but abuse 

 that is destroying them. Americans can not too soon 

 realize the need < f conserving by wise use what re- 



The forest's worst enemy — fire 



mains of our forest wealth, and of so treating the 

 forests that they will renew themselves. 



Others will tell here to-day something of what our 

 nation, the States, and individuals have done and are 

 doing to perpetuate America's forests. Women's or- 

 ganizations have had a part in these accomplishments. 

 It is to be hoped that they will play an even more im- 

 portant role in the remaining acts of the drama of 

 forest conservation. 



2. THE SERVICE OF THE TREES 



" Homes : '" said the forest, shagging the range, 

 " Lintel and floor, roof-beam ana door. 



Homes we build and deserts we change 

 To cities that smoke and roar. 



Steel and stone may come to their own. 

 But first we shaped and prepared for these. 



We raise the world, who are Overthrown, 



\\'e rise and toil!' - said the trees. 



