Forestry for Farmers

"Forestry for Farmers" by B. E. Fernow is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This informative guide aims to educate farmers on the principles of forestry, specifically focusing on the management of small timber tracts and wood lots. It comprehensively discusses tree growth, planting techniques, and the benefits forests can provide to farms, suggesting that a better understanding of these processes is crucial for both agricultural and ecological sustainability. The opening of the work outlines the rationale behind the book, as Fernow advocates for greater awareness of forestry among farmers who may not recognize its importance. He emphasizes the interdependence between trees and agricultural productivity, detailing critical aspects such as soil conditions, light requirements, and the physiological processes involved in tree growth. By setting the stage for practical forestry applications, Fernow encourages farmers to integrate trees into their land management strategies to optimize their overall productivity and maintain ecological balance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Bernhard Eduard Fernow was the third chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Division of Forestry of the United States from 1886 to 1898, preceding Gifford Pinchot in that position, and laying much of the groundwork for the establishment of the United States Forest Service in 1905. Fernow's philosophy toward forest management may be traced to Heinrich Cotta's preface to Anweisung zum Waldbau or Linnaeus' ideas on the "economy of nature." Fernow has been called the "father of professional forestry in the United States."