Annaal Forest Prodcict. 



(Special Report of the Superintendent of Forest^.) 



To the CoD-)ini'«)5ioner*^ of risl)cric'^, (iamc and Fore*^!*^ : 



Gentlemen: I submit herewith the statistics showing amount <if timber takea 

 from the Adirondack forests for the manufacture of lumber and pulp during the years 

 1894, 1S95 and 1896. The amount consumed each year in 1890, 1 89 1, 1893 and 

 1893 will be found in the Annual Report of the State Forest Commission for 1893. 

 Prior to 1890 there was no compilation of the aggregate output of the mills which 

 draw their supply from the forests of Northern New York ; but the amount sawed in 

 the Glens Falls district each year from 185 i to 1883, as indicated by the logs received 

 at the Glens Falls boom, may be found in the report of the Forest Commission for 

 1885. 



The figures submitted here for the annual product of each mill are not mere 

 estimates, but are the statements furnished by the mill owners tliemselves, as taken 

 from their books, and mailed to Albany in response to circulars sent from the Depart- 

 ment. Every efTort has been made to secure accuracy in these returns as far as 

 possible. In many instances special agents of the Commission were sent to the office 

 of the firm whenever further or more accurate information was deemed necessary. 

 Some of the mills made out their returns in round numbers, but as they contracted 

 for their annual supply of logs in the same way, the figures may be accepted as 

 approximately correct, or as near accuracy as possible. 



It seems proper to note here that until the establishment of the State Forest 

 Commission no attempt was ever made to compile the figures for the total output of 

 our forests; at least, no such information was ever published. 



These statistics are entitled to something more than passing notice. In order to 

 obtain a clear, intelligent view of the forestry situation in our State, it is necessary to 

 note accurately the annual consumption of timber. It is then easier to understand 

 how the composition of our forests is gradually changing, how certain species are 

 disappearing, and how our woodlands are changing from a coniferous to a broad- 

 leaved forest. Although the operations of the lumbermen do not necessarily result 

 in denudation or forest destruction, the continuous removal of certain species effects a 

 marked change in the character of the tree growtli. F"urthermore, the only way that 

 we can form any estimate of our timber reserves and future supply is by ascertaining 

 carefully the annual consumption of each merchantable species. 



