A Brief History of Forestry in Europe, the United States and Other Countries

Published in 1907, by Fernow Bernhard. Turns into a political history. Inadvertently becomes an excellent history of economy, the transition from feudal to early capitalist. Taking one industry, that historically was the the fuel that powered most industry, and tracing its development is extremely interesting. Most laws were developed after the fact, were ineffective and not followed. The main purpose of forestry at this time was to produce board feet of lumber, and to prevent a timber famine. Germany is the best chronicled. Tries not to be colonial by giving detailed accounts of forestry in India and Japan, but fails.

"Frequent change of administration, or at least the threat of such change, impedes consistent execution of plans; fickle public opinion may subvert at any time well laid plans which take time in maturing; the true democratic doctrine of restricting State activity to police functions, and the doctrine of non- interference with private rights, as well as the idea of State rights in opposition to federal power and authority— all these characteristics of a democratic government are impediments to a concerted action and stable policy...That, in spite of these antagonistic interests, conditions and doctrines, substantial progress toward establishing at least a federal forest policy has been made, is due to the fact that the American, in spite of his reputation as a materialistic, selfish opportunist, is really an idealist; that he responds readily to patriotic appeals; that, in spite of his rabid nationalism, he is willing to learn from the experiences of other nations; that, indeed, he is anxious to be educated. Finally, much credit is due to the men who with single purpose devoted their lives to the education of their fellow citizens in this direction."