t small
trees be cut down when this tallest tree has reached a good height, it
will spread at the top in order to get as much sunlight as possible. In
order to carry a large top the diameter of the trunk must increase. So,
by starting the trees close together and allowing one of them to develop
alone after a certain height has been reached, the Forester has
persuaded that tree first to grow straight and high, and then to
develop girth, affording the finest and most valuable kind of lumber.
That's just one small example of the scores of possibilities that lie in
the hands of the expert Forester. By proper handling a forest can be
made to respond to training, as I said, just as a school might do."

"I can tell you a lot more things, Fred, just as wonderful as that,"
commented Wilbur.

The Chief Forester nodded.

"I'd like to hear you myself," he said; "I'd rather listen to something
about trees than eat. But I've got to go now. I'll see you again soon,
Loyle," and with a parting good wish to both boys, he crossed the street
and went on his way.

[Illustration: A FOREST FIRE OUT OF CONTROL.

Conditions which tax man's resources to the uttermost, and where peril
is the price of victory.

_Courtesy of U. S. Forest Service._]

[Illustration: GOOD FORESTRY MANAGEMENT.

All the smaller wood is used for cord-wood, the brush is in piles ready
for burning, and the young trees are left to grow up into a new forest.

_Photograph by U. S. Forest Service._]

[Illustration: BAD FORESTRY MANAGEMENT.

Forest cut clear and burned over, all the young growth destroyed, and
nothing left except costly replanting.

_Photograph by U. S. Forest Service._]

CHAPTER II

PUTTING A STOP TO GUN-PLAY

Wilbur was sitting in the writing-room of the hotel where he was staying
while in Washington, just finishing a letter home telling of his
good-fortune and his appointment, when a bell-boy came to tell him that
his uncle, Mr. Masseth, was downstairs waiting to see him. This uncle
had been a great inspiration to Wilbur, for he was prominent in the
Geological Survey, and had done some wonderful work in the Canyon of the
Colorado. Wilbur hurried down at once.

"Congratulations!" the geologist said, as soon as the boy appeared. "So
you came through with flying colors, I hear."

"Every one was just as fine as could be," answered the lad. "But how did
you know about it, uncle?"

"You wrote me that you were going to call on