8 Circular 211, Dept. of Agriculture 



are increasing, at the same time that the protectiv* 

 value of the cover as a regulator of stream flow is ma- 

 terially improved. From an industrial standpoint, 

 these eastern national forests will play an important 

 part as permanent sources of supply of material, par- 

 ticularly hardwoods for local establishments, and 

 will appreciably lessen the acuteness of the timbe% 

 shortage in the East as the supplies of virgin timber 

 approach the vanishing point and before the general 

 practice of forestry on private lands has been under 

 way long enough to supply timber of commercial size. 



THE FORESTS FOR USE 



The policy under which the national forests are 

 administered by the Department of Agriculture 

 through the Forest Service is to make them of the, 

 most use to the most people, but especially to the man 

 of small means and the local farmer and settler. 

 They were meant, first of all, to enable the people to 

 build homes and to maintain them. This policy was 

 laid down by the Secretary of Agriculture in a letter- 

 to the forester, dated February 1, 1905, in which he 

 said: 



In the administration of the forest reserves it must be clearly borne 

 in mind that all land is to be devoted to its most productive use for the 

 permanent good of the whole people and not for the temporary benefit 

 of individuals or companies. All the resources of the forest reserves 

 are for use, and this must be brought about in a thoroughly prompt 

 and businesslike manner, under such restrictions only as will insure the 

 permanence of these resources. * * * You will see to it that the water, 

 wood, and forage of the reserves are conserved and wisely used for the 

 benefit of the home builder first of all, upon whom depends the best 

 permanent use of lands and resources alike. The continued prosperity 

 of the agricultural, lumbering, mining, and livestock interests is di- 

 rectly dependent upon a permanent and accessible supply of water, 

 wood, and forage, as well as upon the present and future use of these re- 

 sources under businesslike regulations enforced with promptness, effec- 

 tiveness, and common sense. In the management of each reserve loea-L « 

 questions will be decided upon local grounds, the dominant industry 

 will be considered first, but with as little restriction to minor industries 

 as may be possible; sudden changes in industrial conditions will be 

 avoided by gradual adjustment after due notice, and where conflicting 

 interests must be reconciled the question will always be decided from 

 the standpoint of the greatest good to the greatest number in the long 

 run. 



