6 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
else, — the poorest of our lands; that it can easily be en- 
couraged by keeping out ground fires, cattle and other 
destructive agencies, thus giving the seedlings, as well as 
larger trees, an opportunity to develop; that there is no 
section of our own state which will not successfully pro- 
duce trees, and that by a little forethought we may insure 
to the coming generations a splendid heritage which will 
form the basis of material prosperity, and the means of 
mental and moral uplifting. 
There are grave questions of public policy the solu- 
tion of which depends upon a knowledge of the growth 
and infiuence of forests, and a full appreciation of 
which is impossible without a knowledge of the funda- 
mental principles of tree growth and treatment on 
the part of the citizens who must ultimately solve 
these problems. What shall be done with the great arid 
tracts in the western part of the country? The citizens of 
the interested sections are clamoring for government aid to 
their plans of irrigation, yet they are rapidly destroying 
the forests on the mountains which, in many places, alone 
insure a sufficient water supply. What shall be done with 
denuded tracts in more favored sections of the country, to 
prevent lasting injury to our streams? Shall this be left, 
as heretofore, to the neglect and selfishness of individuals? 
There are questions involved in the parking of streets, 
establishment of parks and forest reserves, in the preserva- 
tion of birds and game, etc., which must be settled by our 
citizens. Shall this be done intelligently? These ques- 
tions can not be solved by a few enthusiasts, they must be 
met by an intelligent public, aware of the errors of the 
past, and educated to an appreciation of the possibilities 
of the future. And this campaign of education can, and 
should, be carried on in large part by the teachers of bot- 
any in the public schools and the colleges of our country. 
