32 COMMEKCIAL IMPOETANCE OF WHITE MOUNTAIN FORESTS. 



CONCLUSION. 



The lessons of forestry abroad, worked out often from bitter ex- 

 perience, should be taken into account in any effort to protect the 

 forests on a great series of watersheds, such as the White Mountain 

 region. Forests may and should be so managed that they will become ■ 

 profitable and yield permanent revenues; but this occurs usually only 

 after long periods of good management. The great need in the White 

 Mountains is for timely action, since the forest waste now going on 

 can be repaired only at very great cost. Private forest management 

 in the mountains does not, and, in view of the long time element 

 required, can not by itself prevent wasteful forest use. That persist- 

 ent intelligent management will maintain forests at a high permanent 

 efficiency , even in rough country, is shown in the forests of Japan. In 

 Wurttemberg the total net revenue annually from government for- 

 ests is over $3,000,000; in Saxony over $2,000,000; in Prussia 

 $17,000,000; in France nearly $4,000,000, and in Austria more than 

 $5,000,000. 



This publication has sought to establish these facts: 



(1) The timber supply in the White Mountain region, including 

 spruce, which will last about twenty years,- and the hardwoods, which 

 are as yet both abundant and cheap, is of importance not only to 

 New England but also to the country at large. These forests are near 

 to a great population, and the pinch of scarcity in the timber supply 

 is already felt everywhere. As the general population grows rapidly 

 in numbers, the rate of consumption increases, but the supply does 

 not increase correspondingly. On the steep slopes the spruce forests 

 will last only four or five years. 



(2) The protection of the mountain forests from fire is of great im- 

 portance, because fire consumes the soil, rendering it in many places 

 permanently impaired and even barren. This prevents future tim- 

 ber supply and greatly facilitates erosion and rapid run-off of water. 

 Fires have already caused irreparable damage. 



(3) The water flowing from the White Mountain forests touches 

 vast manufacturing interests, and it is essential that the flow of the 

 rivers be kept uniform. On some rivers more than others storage of 

 water in the lakes tends to offset the evil effects of forest destruction, 

 but forest conservation is necessary for this lake storage. Taking 

 the problem as a whole, forest preservation over wide areas, and espe- 

 cially on steep slopes, is the only sure dependence. In the long run 

 nature's way is the safe way. 



(4) The influence of the mountain forests upon navigation is direct, 

 in the opinion not only of engineers and hydrographers, but also of the 

 business men, who have most to do with marine commerce. 



(5) The White Mountains are a source of rest and recreation to the 

 >eople from many States. Their health is a national asset. 



[Cir. 168] 



O 



