The years 1870 to 1890 constitute a period during which the nation became conscious of the importance of forestry. Early in the period, in 1873, Franklin B. Hough presented a paper before the American Association for the Advancement of Science, describing the evils of deforestation and stressing the benefits of forestry. The paper so stirred the meeting that Dr. Hough was made chairman of a committee which reported back to the Association in 1874. This report was instrumental in the establishment in 1876 of a Division of Forestry in the U. S. Department of Agriculture of which Dr. Hough was placed in charge.