Conservation Commission 75 



figures, we directed our rangers to examine and report upon each 

 parcel in their territory. The information sought comprehended 

 a history of past operations upon the lands, fires, soil, timber 

 (kind, quantity and value) and camp sites (quantity and value). 

 The field work is practically completed, but there is a large 

 amount of work to be done by a competent forester before the 

 facts will be in shape to report fully. We hope to give an ap- 

 proximate statement of the kind, quantity and value of the timber 

 and also where it is located. We hope to submit facts as to camp 

 sites and opinions as to their rental values. 



This information will be of value to the Legislature and the 

 Constitutional Convention, and it will form a separate report to be 

 found in the appendix. I do not mean that this report offers a 

 basis for lumbering operations, but rather, that it is an attempt to 

 get an approximate estimate of the timber upon State lands. 



The Cornell Forest School, as a part of its field work, made an 

 examination of a large area of State land in the Catskill Forest 

 Preserve. Professor Recknagel has kindly incorporated the re- 

 sults of this work into a report which will be found appended to 

 this report. His report is based upon a careful examination of 

 the tract (the method fully explained therein) and gives concisely 

 the best kind of information as to quantity of timber, location, 

 etc. 



All who are interested should examine it carefully. If the 

 Forest Preserve is to be lumbered and handled intelligently, 

 examinations of this character must be made before any plans can 

 be determined. 



The question of leasing camp sites ought to be carefully con- 

 sidered. There seems to be a multitude of opinions as to area, 

 restrictions, length of lease, amount of rental, and other factors. 

 The problems here presented require careful thought and the out- 

 lining of a thorough policy before entering upon the subject. 



FOREST FIRE PROTECTION 



The year 1914 has seen a marked decrease over 1913 in the 

 number and extent of fires occuring in the forest regions of 

 the State. Lack of funds has prevented the carrying out of 

 many projects which would have resulted in more complete 

 protection. 



