2 MISC. PUBLICATION 162, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
years of the nineteenth century, when the country’s greatest source 
of softwood timber was the extensive white pine forests of the Lake 
States. In fact, it has been said that the forests of the Lake States 
eee possible the opening up and rapid development of the great 
est 
Although the forests of the North contributed largely to the rapid 
development of our Nation, it was the great pine woods of the Southern 
States that complemented the extraordinary industrial expansion 
during the first part of the present century. Considerable cutting 
was done in parts of this region during the early days of American 
history, and after the War between the States the lumber industry 
developed on a fairly large scale on the southeastern coast. The south- 
ern lumbering industry did not reach foremost importance, however, 
until the decline of the industry in the Lake States late in the nine- 
teenth century. At that time southern pine became the leading lum- 
ber- producing species in the United States and has held an important 
position ever since. Nevertheless, these magnificent forests have 
passed their peak of production. Much of the timber used in the 
United States today comes from the Pacific coast. The forests of this 
region, together with such new growth as may develop in the South 
and other parts of the country, under forest protection and good man- 
agement, are those that will meet the timber needs of the next century. 
~The forests have been and still are one of the Nation’s most im- 
portant natural resources. Not only do they play a leading part 
in the economic and industrial life of the Nation today, they serve 
us in many other ways. By checking the rains and melting snows, 
they help to prevent erosion and floods and insure a steady flow 
of water for power and domestic use; they are the source of many 
products besides lumber; they are the home of much of our game 
and wildlife; they furnish innumerable opportunities for recreation ; 
and last, but not least, they make this country a pleasanter and more 
beautiful place in which to live. If we were to be totally deprived 
of forests, we would suffer economically, physically, and esthetically. 
In fact, it is doubtful if we could survive as a nation. It is there- 
fore important that we know how to handle our forest wealth so 
that it may be used to fill our countless needs and at the same time 
continue a permanent natural resource. This can be done only by 
learning the ways of trees and forests, what forestry is, and what 
the practice of it means to the American people. 
WHAT THE FOREST IS 
THE ForEsT COMMUNITY 
A forest is far more than a mere group of trees. It is a highly 
organized community of plants and animals living in close associa- 
tion and in varying degrees of interdependence. The law of life in 
the forest is the survival of the fittest. and the competition for existence 
is keen. The forest itself is beautiful and useful, and has played a 
vital part in the development of the human race. 
How a TREE LIVES 
Trees are woody plants, growing from the ground usually with a 
single stem. They are the lar gest members of the plant world, rang- 
