14 



of forejstry unless they are going to pay. The arrangement we make 

 with timber owners is never that the}' shall be compelled to apply the 

 plans we submit, but always that the}' shall apph" them or not as they 

 find it wisest to do, I would be exceedingly sorr}' if any man should 

 take up a proposition in forestry and appl}- it if he was not confident 

 it would turn out well, because this is not a question of a few daj's or 

 nierel}' for present conditions. 



What I have been describing to you is, of course, only one of the 

 ways in which the Bureau of Forestry- is attempting to serve the lum- 

 ber interests of the United States. Another is a ver}- extensive series 

 of timber tests which we are just taking up to learn the comparative 

 merits of different timbers for different purposes; and there are many 

 others, some dealing directly with the lumber interests and some indi- 

 rectly. But the essence of what I have to say to you to-day is simply 

 that this matter of practical forestry is presented to 3^ou as a business 

 proposition, to be accepted or rejected as a business proposition, and 

 that my interest in it and the object of m}' presence here is simply to 

 ask you whether it is worth your while to consider your forests as a 

 part of your plant or whether it is better worth your while to abandon 

 them after they have been cut. 



I shall be very glad, indeed, if I can answer an}' questions which 

 may come up now or later on, and I shall be especially glad if I or any 

 other member of the Bureau of Forestry can be of use to you, indi- 

 vidually or collectively, in any possible direction. There has been too 

 long a feeling that the foresters were trying to force the lumbermen 

 to do something or other against the lumbermen's will. I think it is 

 time for the lumbermen to give the Bureau of Forestry a chance to j 

 do some things which they would like to have it do. 



O J 



