PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL

  The object of this manual is to place in the hands
of the people of Kentucky a brief general descrip-
tion of the more common forest trees of the State.
The less common trees and many of the very small-
sized trees have been intentionally omitted. It is
intended for the public, including the "grown-ups"
as well as those in our schools who are coming on to
assume the responsibilities of the State with its
great natural resources.
  The text, under the direction of the Commissioner
of Agriculture, has been prepared by Mr. W. R.
Mattoon of the Forest Serviee, U. S. Department of
Agriculture, in collaboration with the State Forest-
ers of Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and
Maryland who are simultaneously publishing tree
guides adapted each to his respective State. The
description of the local distribution of the trees
within the State accords with information furnished
by Professor H. Garman of the Kentucky College of
Agriculture, Lexington. Most of the cuts have been
loaned by the several State Foresters mentioned
above. A large number are from original drawings
made especially for this cooperative project by the
Federal Forest Service; and those showing the pines
and other conifers are from Prof. C. S. Sargent 's
"Manual of Forest Trees of North America," used
here by permission of and by special arrangement
with Houghton-Mifflin Company. All of this as-
sistance and cooperation is gratefully acknowledged.
  The rapidly increasing interest in outdoor life,
stimulated perhaps by good roads, the automobile,
the "scout movement" and the widened outlook re-
sulting from the spread of education, encourages the
rational treatment of our trees and forests. It is
highly important that this be done in order that our
forests may continue to furnish the materials so
essential to the Maintenance of the industrial and
domestic life of the State and Nation, protect our
farmsteads and mountain streams, and provide
places of pleasure and recreation for our people.
Indeed, the trees may be justly regarded as "our
best friends."
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