

Research has helped develop better methods of aerial fire control using improved chemical 



fire retardants. 



during forests and protecting them from fire, insects, diseases, and 

 animal pests. Special emphasis must be given to increasing the supply 

 of water, forest recreation, and fish and wildlife. Utilization of wood 

 can be improved by greater efficiency in processing, development of 

 letter products that will give superior service, and the discovery of 

 many new uses that will capture the natural advantages of wood's 

 versatility as a raw material. 



The pattern of rapidly increasing use and the need for greatly 

 intensified management brings into focus sharply the need for broad 

 supporting research programs. The Nation cannot tolerate ineffi- 

 cient forest management practices fostered by lack of knowledge. It 

 cannot much longer sutler annual destruction of timber and growth 

 losses that almost equal yearly sawtimber utilization because more 

 effective measures of protection have not yet been developed. It cannot 

 see forest and range watersheds deteriorate further because of the 

 absence of practical corrective techniques or effective preventive 

 measures to stabilize soil and prevent erosion and sedimentation. In 

 areas of critical water supply it cannot forgo the increased water 

 yields from forests that could come from proper management of forest 

 vegetation. It cannot continue to accept only partial utilization of all 

 the forest resources because of a lack of knowledge and the technology 

 that would stimulate use. It cannot continue to see conflicts in resource 

 use become more and more complex when systematic study would 

 help materially to relieve such problems. In short, the Nation's future 



