FOREST COJIJIISSIONEU'S IJEFORT. 19 



be quite different. Ground once cut over would not cover 

 itself again ; and this would result not merely in money loss, 

 but in disastrous effects on the climate and water supply. 

 Restraint of cuttino- the o;uardino- of existino; forest areas and 

 acquisition of new ones, would be the essential i)rohlems. 

 Not so in Maine. Ground cut over or abandoned is generally 

 soon covered aaain with trees, and the effects of clearing 

 upon climate and drainage while no doubt real are not with 

 us crving evils. The main business of a state forest commis- 

 sion is to co-operate with the farmers and lumbermen. Its 

 aim should be to secure economies in cutting and manufac- 

 ture, and when possible to increase production. Its ofiice 

 should be a bank ai information on all matters relatino- to 

 forests and the lumber business. By drawing upon it new 

 enterprises would be assisted. From its knowledge of our 

 supplies and consequent forecast of the future, business could 

 be conducted, and our resources utilized, with a view to their 

 productiveness in the long run. 



AuhTiN Gary. 

 Bangor, October 30, 1894. 



