CHAPTER XIV 
THE FUTURE OF FORESTRY IN THE UNITED STATES 
Tue development of forestry in this country can 
be likened to the growth of a tree. Commencing in 
Colonial times many seeds were sown in the form of 
warnings and prophecies concerning our vanishing tim- 
ber supply but the seed did not germinate until 
1876 when a Forest Agency was established in the 
Department of Agriculture. Owing to lmited popular 
interest little apparent progress was made but as in 
the case of many trees a good root system was being 
developed preparatory to later rapid growth. Since 
fifteen years ago when Colonel Roosevelt became Presi- 
dent the amount of land within our forests has been 
greatly increased and rapid strides have been made 
in the protection and development of the national 
forests. Private owners are taking notice of the work 
done by the Federal Government and while a start 
has been made there is still much to be done. 
Americans often pride themselves upon their ability 
to achieve remarkable results in a very short time. 
While undoubtedly we have developed our country 
with great speed yet in spite of our rapid growth we 
are still a long distance behind some of the European 
countries in the management of our woodland. They 
were forced by necessity to care for their wild and 
mountainous land and consequently have brought their 
untillable areas to a high state of cultivation. Not 
only do the governments of such countries as France, 
Switzerland and Germany realize the importance of 
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