• Briscoe, John M.
  Forestry Department: University of Maine
  

The owner of woodland should keep his land productive. This applies to the owner of a few acres of woodland in concentration with a farm, as well as to private and corporate owners of large tracts of timber. The private owner must now grow timber, just as other crops are grown, and since it is a long time crop, the sooner a beginning is made, the better for all concerned. We must have the product, and if we do not grow it ourselves, we must secure is elsewhere and pay the price demanded, as well as the freight bill!

Only about 1/5 of out forested area in U.S is under the control of the Federal and State Governments. These lands will be carefully managed to secure a permanent and regular supply of forest products; but even at best, they will never be able to meet the demand for forest products for the whole country.

It is not likely that the market price of lumber and pulp wood will return to pre-war basis. There may be fluctuations in both the wholesale and the retail market prices, but it is quite certain that a large part of the increased cost to the consumer will be transferred from recent inflated profits to the dealer and middleman, to more sound and economically warranted increase in vale of stumpage. This will work to the decided advantage of every woodland owner who is growing trees. Every acre of non-agricultural land in Maine should be put to use. Its best use is the growing of trees for profit.