how can the owner of denuded lands with no net income in sight from them for a period of from 50 to 75 years be expected to undertake it? The private individual and corporation will never solve the problem of our devastated 7 million acres ! The considerable privately owned forest in Germany is often quoted, but students of German forestry point out that private forestry in that country is the least efficient, and is as good as it is only through strict supervision by government foresters supported by compulsory laws! Compulsory laws are much harder to obtain in the United States than government ownership of forest land. In fact if compulsory reforestation were to be resorted to by the State, the forest owner who receives the income from the mature crop, should be reached. But in Pennsylvania this is impossible, and the idea becomes at once impracticable.

It is pointed out that here and there an individual or a corporation are actually reforesting. This can readily be granted but are not those individuals usually practicing forestry through a feeling of philanthropy? Will their heirs see the matter in the same light? Can you depend on them for the constant policy for a century that forestry requires? Where is George Vanderbilt's Pisgah Forest now but in the lands of the Federal government. What would have happened without a government agency to continue it? Set aside 1 million acres of the 7 million left (beyond the farmers' woodlots) for the private individual, who is philanthropic enough and unselfish enough to look beyond present personal profit, and to the specialized corporations who may be driven to it by need of raw material. May the heirs of the former inherit the same spirit of philanthropy to the second and third generations so that the forest may become self-sustaining! May the succeeding directors of the latter continue the forest investment with a promise of 3 to 6 per cent. return rather than dispose of the capital stock to the unsuspecting public in order to move into some other enterprise yielding 7 to 10 per cent. return!

There are still 6 million acres to invite action on! Municipalities should be induced to build up watershed forests at least, but the State alone remains as the logical agency able to seriously undertake the huge problem.

Governor Stuart said in an address on May 19, 1908, at Bethlehem, "It is hoped the State will ultimately own at least 6 million acres of forest reservations." Also the voice of our late honored association President, John Birkinbine (whose removal by an inscrutable Providence we shall never cease to lament), in an address in 1908 at the Association Meeting at Chambersburg, still echoes

the demand for 6 million acres for State forests. Again in an article in the February, 1910, FOREST LEAVES, Hon. S. B. Elliott states: "It is possible that the State can secure say 2,000,000 acres, perhaps more, but she should possess not less than 6,000,000 to meet the demands of her own citizens, and it is not probable that so much can be obtained; and that would be only about 21 per cent. of her total area while Germany's forests cover 26 per cent. of the Empire's domain, and she imports one-third of the forest products consumed by her people, and her forests are far more productive than ours." He might have added that the Germans practice the economy born of necessity in addition! The opinion of the present and former Commissioners of Forestry are too well known to this Association to require quotation. In fact the opinion of all in a position to judge coincides on approximately 6 million acres as the future maximum State holdings for forest maintenance and replacement.

How are we progressing toward this goal? The first State land was purchased in 1898 during Governor Hastings' administration, and included 19,804 acres. During Governor Stone's administration, 1899-1903, over 500,000 acres were added. By the end of 1904 the area totalled 549, 565 acres. By January 1, 1909, the area rose to 827,725, and January 1, 1912, to 966,229 and November 1, 1914, to 1,001,125 acres. Surely this is a magnificent showing in results for an 18year period. Yet when viewed from the standpoint of the 6-million acre requirement we must not pause too long for congratulation, but press the policy for a more rapid advance. The State is developing a trained organization that may become top-heavy if it fails to move forward. The State forests should increase at not less than 100,ooo acres per year so that in 10 years there would be 2 million acres. The training school is able to meet this modest program with trained Let us not lose ourselves in the technical problems of fire-protection, reforestation, road building, etc., coming up with our present holdings (weighty though they are), and overlook the need of a large and comprehensive policy-and especially a constant policy, so that there will not be temporary lapses requiring part of a trained force to leave its profession, and make a new venture. The last three or four years have seen some "letting down" in the progressive forest policy. The State at present is giving to Forestry whatever appropriation it can easily spare. When a cut seems necessary forestry is the one to be more heavily cut. Is this a policy of statecraft? The problem is too large a one for such treatment. If current funds are not available for an aggressive

men.

State Forests is as worthy of a bond issue as good roads.

The mere item of greater protection would be sufficient to warrant the immediate extension of State holdings. In spite of the fact that the present State holdings contain by far the greatest fire hazards, during 1914 the loss on State lands was only 23 to 1⁄2 of that on privately owned lands. In other words the more efficient fire protection of the State forest service extended over all the mountain forests outside the farm woodlots would have saved over $230,000 worth of burned forest in the one year. And the protective organization is becoming more efficient each year.

In spite of the fact that farm lands have been

FOUR YEAR COURSE IN FORESTRY.

A thorough and practical undergraduate course in technical forestry-preparing men for all lines of professional and applied forestry.

Special attention is paid to practical field

years, land values have been on the increase. The 1910 Census reports the average farm land in Pennsylvania to be valued at $33.92 per acre, while in 1900 it was $29.70, an increase of over 14 per cent. in 10 years, so that the average farm owner received 1.4 per cent. per year on his land value in capital increment in addition to crop re

turn.

Some forest areas purchased by the State have already more than quintupled in value.

One lumberman with tremendous holdings in the Pacific North West is reported to have said that he never lost a dollar on timber except on

measurements. One of the largest of the State Forest Reserves is within a short walk of the College. For information regarding entrance requirements, expenses, etc., address DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY,

STATE COLLEGE, PA.

never lose a dollar on forest land except on the forest land she does not buy.

To put the forest policy back into its stride again we must return to elementals-viz.: popular education. E. A. ZIEGler.

J. T. ROTHROCK,

CONSULTING FORESTER,

WEST CHESTER, PA.

Terms upon Application.