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INFORMATION . 
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GQ. S. Hepariment of Agriculinre, 
Tat) 183 18; Ss GR IR, NE IO IL Wt ey eC O IN E 
VAGUS OULU SOU ye eek a Se HES Tc. 
FeCl Oe N TO eADweATIONATL, MEIN: 
The Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture, primarily created to promote a popular 
understanding of the vital interests ‘which are centered in the forest wealth of the United States, has 
directed its principal effort hitherto towards investigating the conditions of the forest areas of the country, 
and the rapid decrease of the most valuable sources of supply, and has shown the need of inaugurating a 
new system of forest management and reproduction, by which alone the perpetuation of anample supply of 
forest products, so vital to national prosperity, can be secured. 
The array of statistics collected and reported already by this agency should suffice to awaken greater 
popular interest in the solution of so momentous a national problem than has thus far been manifested. 
Hitherto we have destroyed our forests for the sake of immediate pecuniary gain or convenience, with 
reckless disregard of consequences or of the future supply of a material so valuable and even necessary for 
almost all pursuits and for the comfort of all classes. The history of other countries, which by the 
denudation of their forests have lost their agricultural fertility and which have suffered also from great 
climatie changes, should be sufficient warning to an intelligent people like ourselves to guard against a 
similar experience by taking measures in season to arrest the course of destruction which has prevailed 
and to adopt a system of wise forest conservation. - 
In marking out the line of future work to be undertaken by the Division of Forestry, the Commis- 
sioner of Agriculture deems it of great importance that those to whom the shaping of the intelligence of 
the coming generation is intrusted should he specially invited to take a calm consideration of this long- 
neelected subject. 
Schools of every grade, without departing at all from their proper work, can supply some practical 
lessons in regard to the object and use of forests, the nature and growth of trees, and the significance of 
their existence or absence, awakening thereby the interest of pupils ina kind of knowledge too little 
fostered in the schools of the agricultural classes. : 
In schools of the higher grade it can be united with instructions in botany and natural history in 
general. In colleges forestry should be presented in lectures on its various relations to arboriculture, 
agriculture, and political economy. 
Engaging thus the popular and higher education, we may establish a popular system of forestry 
suited to the peculiarities of our country and its people. We shall foster at the same time sympathy with 
rural objects, which will tend to make our youth content with rural life, instead of being overcome by the 
attractions of the great cities. 
The Commissioner calls special attention to the value of object-lessons in any branch of study, and 
recommends to all heads of the higher educational institutions, as far as in their power, to cause the 
grounds of their respective institutions to be planted with collections of forest and ornamental trees and 
shrubs, grouped in accordance with their botanical relations or with a view to successful growth by a 
system of judicious mixing of kinds for mitual protection. 
A general adoption of this recommendation would soon convert the much neglected grounds sur- 
rounding our colleges and schools into park-like groves of great attraction, the exponents of correct. taste 
in ornamental planting, and perpetual volumes of forest botany and arboriculture. 
In like manner might the study of botany be promoted and popularized by the culture of repre- 
sentative kinds of plants united in accordance with their systematic relationship. Botanical parterres of 
plants, both economic and ornamental, might easily be introduced into the school erounds of the country, 
through which much useful information, both practical and scientific, would be imparted, assisting reral 
life in its onward course to a higher plane of culture. 
The Commissioner will take pleasure in promoting the adoption of his recommendation, as far as in 
his power, by contributions of plant material, and has especially instructed the western agent of the 
Forestry Division, Prof. M. G. Kern, of St. Louis, Mo., a professional landscape-gardener, to correspond 
with all who desire further information or advice in the design and improvement of the grounds of 
Educational Institutions. ; 
If this recommendation meets with your favor, and you desire to avail yourself of the proffered aid, 
please fill out the inclosed blank and return it with your reply. 
Respectfully, 
NORMAN J. COLMAN, 
Commissioner of Agriculture. 
