To cultivate the forest solely in the interest of the
contemporary generation is a wretched sort of copse-wood business;
large trees are raised for future generations. Therefore the forest is,
primarily, a subject of national economy and, secondarily, one of
domestic economy. In the forest the interests of the entire nation must
be considered; it must be, as far as possible, equally distributed over
the whole land, for its treasures interfere with the facilities of
traffic. These are thoughts which might make any genuine forest
proprietor proud of his own particular forest.
For the opponents of the conservation of large landed estates the forest
will always be the worst stumbling-block, for it will never be possible
to establish an even apparently successful forestry on a small scale.
Where agriculture is concerned, the advantage of small farming is open
to discussion; but he who would not see the pitifulness of forestry on a
small scale must hold his hands before both eyes. In proportion as
forestry is carried on in a small way, that is to say, in so far as it
shall be exclusively operated so as to obtain the largest possible
income out of the smallest possible capital and with the shortest
possible delay, the forest loses its historic stamp, its cultural
influence on the social and esthetic education of the nation, and on the
characteristic distinctions of society.
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