The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-14
Review of the Situation That Led
TO the Effort to Protect
Timber Lands.
MOVEMENT OF LUEBERMEN
SCHOOLS OF FORESTRY MAKING THE
CALLING A DISTINCT PROFESSION.
Exactly What IL Is That Is Sought to
Be Accomplished - Interesting
Details Of the Work.

Forestry is sign of the times-a pre-
sage in the lumber situation. AS long as
the impassive wall of the forest confronted
the lumberman. he cut regardlessly, heart
lessly. thinking only of present returns and
pocket profits. But when shafts of light be-
gan to appear between the trunks OF the
trees, he stood face to face with hard
reality and saw what ne had not stopped TO
think about. that unless he could build up
where he had torn down. he would soon be
at the end of his course. Then he began to
look into forestry.
To most of us the profession of forestry
suggests something new. But, be 1t known,
il is not new in any sense OF discovery.
although only within the last ten years has
it come before the allseeing American eye
and held it. Restrict the statement TO this
country and come nearer the mark by CALI
ing it a newly recognized profession whose
future economic conditions now seem TO
be assured. Ii is a significant fact that
the first settlers on the Atlantic coast were.
as well, the first foresters of the country.
One of the primordial laws which they en-
acted as they stood that white strip OF
sand and rocks between the ocean and
continent, black and heavy with endless
forests, restricted the size of the timber
to be cut for cordwood and preserved the
long tapering pines suitable for masts.
They were emigrants from country whose
policy even then was forest protection; they
knew the value of a stand of timber; they
in the young sapling the gigantic tree.
In the span Of years which followed the
crusade of pioneers kept lighting away
from the Atlantic, and this westward
movement. especially in the latter part OF
the nineteenth century, brought about a
period of stupeDdous railway building which
has never been equaled. The old protective
attitude toward the forest merged into a
mercenary one, mainly because of greater
love for the almighty dollar and because the
timber supply seemed TO be inexhaustible.
Since then there has been an appalling
depletion and despoilation of our forests,
the elimination of which has given rise 20
a crying necessity Of forestry and foress
protection.
NEW TO MOST, PEOPLE.
To only too many Americans is forestry
a new thing 1t is safe TO say that one
third the population have never heard OF
forestry, and one-half OF those who are
acquainted with the term have vague, mis-
conceived ideas or no ideas at all. They do
not dream that il bears indirectly upon
them-that it affects the cities well as
the woodlands. Yet President Roosevelt
declares that the primary object of our
forest policy is the making OF prosperous
homes-not only starting them prosperous
ly, but keeping them prosperous. He has
termed the forest problem in many ways
the most vital internal problem of the
United States. 1t is a remarkable phe-
nomenon that the forest at the head OF
some great river affects communities hun
dreds of miles down the course of the
stream. But cut away those forests and
the deep, flowing river becomes creek
and its fertile valley dry. thirsty lands.
In the West, especially in the more arid
regions, agricultural prosperity depends
chiefly on the available water supply. and
only by forest protection can the necessary
stream flow be maintained for the watering
of the country. In other respects, too.
IL is remarkable how many industries are
related and dependant upon the forests and
therefore upon forestry. LAUNDERING, the
fourth great industry OF our country, has
created forestry. That fact alone is an
acknowledgment of dependency and in il
there are signs which those related to or
acquainted with the industry cannot help
but read. Timber is indesper sable TO min
ing, manufacturing, railway building.
transportation and commerce, and even the
grazing industry is closely allied TO for
estry in that the large ranges good for
winter grazing would be worthless with
out the summer range In the forests The
advent of a timber famine evidently means
the curtailing OF more than one great in
dustry. Therefore. it is TO be expected
that men affected more or less in a busi-
ness way are looking ahead and setting
new ideas to assure and to perpetuate their
industries.
Abroad the profession OF forestry is an
old and highly respected profession
European nations have developed II
science to a point far beyond US, but they
have been at it hundreds OF years. There the
forester is as highly honored and respect
ed as the doctor or the lawyer. He Is an
swering just as great calling. Likewise.
the European forestry schools, especially
in Germany, are unequaled Many stu
dents. after taking the training In this
country. go abroad TO finish their forestry
education in these more advanced insti-
tutions. but it has been conceded that con-
ditions in the United States do not make IL
expedent TO adopt the foreign methods.
AMERICAN FORESTRY SCHOOLS.
In the United States the three most widely
recognized forestry schools are at Yale.
Cornell and at Bitmore. y. c.. known as
the Biltmore Forest School. on the Wander
biIt estate. The latter, however. does not
give a degree. its course being for two
years only AT Yale and Cornell four years
are required TO obtain degree. unless the
student is a graduate OF another university.
in which case he can graduate in two years.
Half of the last two years Of the training
is spent among the mountains in practical
study. There is a long list Of other uni
versities and colleges which offer secondary
courses I'm forestry. In most cases they
are State universities. The tendency In the
larger schools Is. however. 10 make forestry
a separate department. The University ~
Michigan has established separate depart
ment of forestry. and has called TO its
charge Mr.. Hilbert Roth. former chief OF
the Division OF Forestry OF the United
States.
The attitude OF the separate State govern
A.. g. IS -