Early in the sixteenth century there was a certain realization of the danger of neglect of trees; Sully, the great minister of France, suggested that some restrictions should be laid on cutting, and some study of forestry made by the government. Germany also followed the same course, and England, which began to feel the shortage of timber severely, practised more careful cutting and set out certain plantations. The great landowners everywhere cared for their timber in their private parks, and cut only when necessary. At the beginning of the eighteenth century planting was begun in Scotland and later in Ireland, and it is interesting to note that now the planted areas exceed the natural growth in these two countries. Foreign trees were also introduced at this time, and in many cases flourished even better than the natural growths.
III—PRESENT CONDITIONS ABROAD
Practically now every civilized country practises forestry in a greater or less degree. Germany has nine schools where it is taught, and there are four and a half billion acres under government care. France is equally careful, and every forest is guarded, though its schools are not as many. England has a forest policy which calls for the planting of nine million acres, ten thousand each year. Russia has such enormous forests that as yet the care of her trees does not seem to her critically important, yet she too is beginning to conserve her resources. Italy has been almost stripped of her forests by neglect, but she is at last waking to her peril and beginning to foster what is left. In India an interesting work is being done by the English, who are establishing schools for the natives to teach forestry; this in time will make the country far more fertile than now. New Zealand, always progressive, has a well-planned system; Argentine, Hawaii, and Terra del Fuego practise the science.
IV—THE PAST IN AMERICA
Forestry was begun at home by one man, Jared Eliot of Salisbury, Connecticut, who in 1730 began to cut his trees systematically for charcoal furnaces. But unfortunately no one followed in his footsteps because our forests were so rich that it did not seem necessary; thirty-six per cent. of all our area is in trees. This fact has made us reckless; whole hillsides have been constantly stripped by farmers for wood, or to make arable land. Great trees have been cut down when smaller ones would have done quite as well. Worst of all, the lumbermen of the Middle West and South have swept clean enormous areas of land, cutting down large and small pines alike, and leaving nothing but stumps.
Even more destructive have been the forest-fires which have sprung up through carelessness or drouth, and suffered to burn unhindered till they died out. As late as 1910 twenty-five million dollars' worth of natural timber was destroyed, partly in the Far West and partly in the East. Of late, too, certain insects have made havoc with large tracts, and hills have been left bare and brown where they have been.
V—CONSERVATION
In 1882 the Forestry Association was formed to correct existing evils, to care for standing timber, and to restock where that was necessary. There are now over six thousand members of the association, and a paper of great interest is published, called American Forestry, which gives practical suggestions. This association has accomplished marvels in the few years of its existence. In 1899 there were thirty-six forest-reserves in the West. In addition, many States have their own reserves.
VI—RENEWAL
In addition to caring for existing trees, others now are planted. Some States have bounties for this purpose; others maintain nurseries where saplings are raised and set out; seeds are sown; foreign trees are introduced; in our public schools our children are instructed in the growth and care of trees, and many have Arbor Day, when trees are planted and exercises held to impress the children with the importance of the occasion.