forestry school in the United States. - ScholarsArchive at Oregon ...

The Beginnings 7
In 1893, Hilgard looked forward to a much enlarged program. The
University had acquired, with the abolishment of the State Board of Forestry,
the Santa Monica and Chico forestry stationsessentially experimental
forest nurseries.13 To direct the work, Hilgard had assigned the eminently
qualified Shinn. Efforts to obtain adequate operating funds failed in the
1895 and 1897 legislatures, and in December, 1898, the University considered
abandoning the stations. But Hilgard saved the day by writing,
December 8, 1898, to University President Martin Kellogg: "Forestry is
rapidly coming to the front in the United States and it would be a serious
step backward to relinquish now the investments made. . ." On December
30, he wrote Pinchot in reply to a proposal for cooperation in the propagation
of forest trees: "We are not only willing but anxious to cooperate...
We have now two forestry stations. . . We have for years tried to get funds
for tree planting on Mt. Hamilton. . . The foresting of the mountains of
Southern California is an especially important problem."
Although forestry was being taught, as Hilgard once wrote to Fernow
"incidently as connected with economic botany," his letters show that a
forestry school was ever in his thoughts:
"I suppose that you know about the bills in Congress for endowing
with $5000 per annum our University, for educational work in forestry, and
also for a National School of Forestry in Washington. All your influence
should be exerted on Congressmen and their friends to secure the passage of
these bills . "14
"I am most thoroughly in sympathy in the proposition to establish a
Forestry Course in the University, even though there has been no demand for
such instruction. I think the University ought to offer instruction in advance
of demand, whenever financially possible. At the present time, however, the
Regents have declined to provide instruction in Sugar Beet culture and
Sugar Making for which there is a lively demand, on the ground of insufficiency
of funds, it is hardly probable that they will take immediate action
favorable to your proposition. It will doubtless be referred to a committee
and will there receive my earnest support."5
"As to [a] School of Forestry we are most cordially in sympathy with
the movement for its establishment. Lack of funds only prevents us from
starting it."6
"It does seem to me that our stable institutions, the State Universities,
which avowedly look forward to centuries to come, could exert a more direct
influence upon forestry matters on that very account."17
When the California Forest and Water Society appointed a Commission
of Forestry in l899"to devise means of protecting the forests of the State
from destruction by fire or wanton depredations, and recommend means of
preserving forests and storing and distributing flood waters of the State"-
Hilgard topped the list of five appointees.'8
'°Clar. C. Raymond, Calif or,oia Gooeromestt ad Forestry, p. 156.
14Letter Hilgard to Kinney in 1895.
1tLetter Hilgarci to Kinney its 1897.
1tMemo }filgard to Wheeler commenting on a letter from Kinney to Wheeler in 1899.
°7Letter Hilgard to Pinehot in 1899.
'°The Forester, Jesne, 1899, p. 136. The other fonr were Professor W. R. Dudley, Stanford University;
Abbot Kinney, Los Angeles; Warren Olney, Sr., San Francisco; Gearge Fowle, Placer County.