AUTHOR' S PREFACE. 



The forestry policies of the Government or of any of the 

 states have not come into existence suddenly, but have been de- 

 veloped slowly from small beginnings. The present highly 

 specialized and effective service of the forestry organizations of 

 the Federal and certain state governments has usually been pre- 

 ceded by fundamental investigations and by work which was 

 more general in its scope. 



The present volume on forestry is essentially preliminary. 

 It is in no sense a report of completed work. On the contrary, 

 it is intended to call attention to a long-neglected duty which 

 the citizens of West Virginia owe to themselves and their pos- 

 terity — the protection and wise utilization and improvement of 

 the remnants of our forest lands. Much of that which is herein 

 suggested is yet to be done. The timber producing capacity of 

 our forests is pointed out in order to encourage owners to work 

 for maximum yields; their utility is discussed for the purpose 

 of stimulating a new desire which has taken hold of the people 

 to prevent the total destruction of one of our most useful and 

 indispensable natural possessions. Likewise, the nature and ex- 

 tent of destruction wrought by the various enemies of trees and 

 wood are mentioned that they may be better understood and 

 more surely controlled. 



The chapters devoted to a discussion of the present condition 

 of woodland in the State as a whole and that of each separate 

 county are intended to supply such general information as will 

 lead to definite efforts toward improvement, and to constitute an 

 essential though imperfect basis for future work in detail. The 

 map which accompanies this report represents graphically the 

 locaton and extent of wooded areas. 



The chapter on forestry in other states is included as a basis 

 for comparison of methods employed and as a means of con- 

 trasting the work accomplished in different parts of the country. 



It is hoped that the chapter containing a list of the native 

 trees and shrubs of the State may be of use from a commercial 

 standpoint, and that it may tend to induce some persons to make 

 such a study of our exceedingly interesting flora as will add 



