Abstract This, the key-note address at the 32nd annual meeting of the Society, is an estimate of current issues affecting forestry as they appear to the author. Dean Graves believes that the outstanding obstacle to a sound system of forestry is the character of ownership of the forests which forces premature exploitation and throws cut-over land on an unprepared public; that the sale of public timber as a cause of over-production is grossly exaggerated; that the government should contribute to national forest counties more nearly in accord with the plan of taxing private properties;that mergers of forest properties should be encouraged though their influence would be largely regional; that the anti-trust laws need modification; that state control of production merits approval if it promotes stable land management and sustained yield; that larger public ownership of timber land is essential, but the acquisition of private mature timber seems impractical. Dean Graves' recital shows that the problems are known and are solvable, that they point to forestry as essential, that their correction may require legislation and may become political issues, that they must be attacked vigorously but intelligently, and that foresters must join in amt assume definite responsibility and leadership.
Henry S. Graves (Wed,) studied this question.