Living and Forest Lands 



How Do Forests Affect Our Ways of Living? 



Living in lowlands produces habits and customs different from those 

 prevailing in highlands. So also, people living in or near forests develop 

 certain characteristic activities not evident among inhabitants of treeless 

 plains. Even distant forests exert an influence by supplying raw materials, 

 protecting the sources of water supply, and in other indirect ways. 



The home sites of more than one-third of the people of the United States 

 occupy only about one five-hundredths of the total land area. Forests, 

 farm and range lands, lakes, and streams occupy the big spaces of our 

 country upon which urban industrial centers depend for natural resources 

 that furnish necessities in the lives of city dwellers. 



The rural dwellers who are scattered over most of the land area derive 

 a more direct benefit from the natural resources than do the people of towns 

 and cities. Although the people on the land use some of the resources 

 themselves, equally important benefits result from production 

 of commodities for others. Those engaged in forestry, lumbering, tur- 

 pentine operations, and many other activities derive their entire livelihood 

 from the forest. 



Wood, the primary raw material of the forest, is an everyday necessity 

 contributing to the comfort, convenience, health, pleasure, and recreation 

 of mankind. Chairs, desks, tables, pencils, rulers, paper, rubber, and 

 many other things in constant use have their origin in the forest. Adults 

 as well as children wear rayon garments made from wood cellulose. Food 

 products and gift articles are wrapped in cellophane, also produced from 

 wood. Nuts and maple sugar are delicacies that come from the forest. 

 Contributions of the forest to our daily life may be found in our homes, 

 schools, libraries, churches, parks, and playgrounds. 



Because of the many contributions of the forest to the welfare of both 

 individuals and nations, forest conservation is of intense interest to many 

 study groups in the United States. It is the design of this publication to 

 serve as a guide to such groups interested especially in the social and 

 economic aspects of forests and forestry. To this end questions and cer- 

 tain informative tests have been included to be used in stimulating intelli- 

 gent discussion of and thinking about the principles of conservation. 



Discussion -points. — Study discussions of these social aspects of forests 

 and forestry may be designed to bring out various points. Among these 

 may be : 



1. Forests, like men, adapt themselves to an environment. 



2. Forests affect our daily activities. 



3. Forest raw materials are necessary in the day's work and in industry. 



4. Forest products are the basis of much commerce. 



5- Farm woodlands and windbreaks are a part of a balanced agriculture. 

 6. Forests have recreational and educational values. 



1 



