The Young Forester

A young easterner, Ken Ward, sets out for Arizona with a passion for forestry and a plan to join his friend Dick Leslie, a fire ranger in the Penetier National Forest. Along the way, he encounters the raw realities of the West, from a mysterious stranger on the train to the rough town of Holston, where danger lurks in the shadows. As Ken navigates his journey, he must prove his commitment to saving timber, not cutting it, and face the challenges of a land where forests are threatened by lumbermen and fire. This coming-of-age tale blends adventure with a plea for conservation, following Ken's transformation from a dreamer into a dedicated forester.

A public-domain text edition with newly prepared typography and a typographic cover. Original printed illustrations are not reproduced.