First published in 1917, this book is a pioneering work in the field of conservation economics. It argues that a nation's long-term prosperity is dependent on the sustainable management of its natural resources, and explores the economic, ecological, and ethical dimensions of this issue. The book examines the economic arguments for conservation, the role of taxation and regulation, and the ethical principles that should guide conservation policy. It is aimed at economists, policymakers, and anyone interested in the relationship between economic development and environmental sustainability. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.