24 THE FORESTS OF ALASKA. 



and decrease that of hemlock. In the interior forests, situated en- 

 tirely upon public lands, unregulated cutting and devastating fires 

 are going on. The coast forests were reserved before they were 

 impaired. Those of the interior have already been seriously dam- 

 aged. Their protection can not begin too soon. While the products 

 of the coast forests need a foreign market, the interior forests with 

 the best of treatment are not likely to supply more than a part of the 

 home demand. If protected they will continue to furnish logs for 

 cabins, low-grade lumber, and fuel indefinitely. Higher grade 

 lumber required by the interior must always be imported. 



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