analysis. This study further 
confirms that the availability 
of technical and financial 
assistance is a positive factor 
in encouraging landowners 
to manage their lands and 
regenerate them to pine 
when appropriate, and is 
much more important than 
market forces. 
The rural forestry assistance 
programs of the State forestry 
organizations provide that 
opportunity to encourage 
and assist landowners to 
manage their lands. This is _ 
particularly true on the smaller 
ownerships, where the 
landowner’s knowledge 
92 
about potential returns would 
not be enough to encourage 
him or her initially to employ 
a consultant. The information 
on the management and 
productivity of southern 
forests makes it quite clear 
that there need to be more 
contacts between 
professional foresters and 
forest landowners before the 
latter make decisions on 
harvesting. The State 
Forester is in the best position 
to lead the way, but the 
cooperation and help of all 
other forestry interests must 
be brought to bear 
simultaneously on the 
problem. 
