In this country many people have only just begun to know that there is such a thing as forestry. Very few understand clearly that it is both a science and an art, and is one of the most important subjects which can come before the mind. For convenience we will treat it under two heads:
A, the value or benefit of forests; and
B, How shall we get the greatest benefit from them?
A. We may regard forests:
I. As yielding a vast amount of products necessary for civilized people.
II. As efficient in preventing certain evils, such as:
(a) Washing soil from hillsides;
(b) Depositing this material where it does great and lasting mischief;
(c) Droughts and floods;