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GOVERNMENT 
FOREST WORK 
F-174606 
Forestry has to do with the growing of successive 
crops of timber from the soil. Forest workers are 
concerned with the perpetuation and development of 
the forests because of their many benefits to man- 
kind—in providing wood for man’s use; in preventing 
erosion of soll and in regulating stream flow and 
water supply for irrigation, for power, and for domes- 
tic use; in harboring wild life; in giving abundant 
opportunity for outdoor recreation. 
Forestry is closely related to agriculture, and the 
chief forest work of the Federal Government is there- 
fore charged to the United States Department of 
Agriculture. 
When forestry is practiced, timber becomes a crop 
produced from the soil under methods which must 
be developed scientifically, as other branches of agri- 
culture are developed. In most countries where for- 
estry iS an important governmental activity it is 
grouped with agriculture. Right handling of the 
forest ranges is a problem of animal husbandry and 
forage-plant production. Water conservation has in 
view the interests of irrigation farmers. Forestry 
and agriculture are interwoven and akin. 
The Forest Service is a bureau of the Department 
of Agriculture. Its chief is designated the Forester. 
Besides administering the national forests, the sery- 
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