l^ FOREST COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. 



to the State. On the other hand if they received good salaries 

 and then employed a Forester to perform the duties of the 

 office, whatever salaries they might receive would be, in my 

 opinion, almost an absolute waste to the State. 



The Land Agent and Forest Commissioner at the present 

 time has sole charge of lands owned by the State or held in 

 trust by it. He also has supervision over the State Nursery at 

 Orono and his authority is absolute as far as protection of the 

 forests from the ravages of fire. He is also Chairman of the 

 Forestry Department of the University of Maine and with the 

 President of the University and State Superintendent of 

 Schools exercise the functions and have all the authority that a 

 Commission would have, as suggested. I cannot see where any 

 benefit would arise from a Commission in regard to forest 

 planting other than we have now. The State Nursery at Orono 

 has used, at the present time, all funds appropriated for this 

 purpose and I should recommend a more liberal appropriation 

 by the next Legislature to carry on this great work. I would 

 recommend a more liberal salary for the Land Agent with the 

 duties of the office increasing from year to year. Also the 

 creating of the office of Deputy Land Agent and investing the 

 Land Agent with authority to employ men skilled in their pro- 

 fession to carry out and put in operation the reforms such as 

 are suggested by the proponents of the Commission. 



The merit system that now prevails in the appointment of 

 lookout wardens should be sustained as every year of experi- 

 ence of a watchman on a lookout station makes him many 

 times more valuable the next year. 



Within the past year a disease or blight, called the White 

 Pine Blister Rust has been found in different sections of our 

 State, attacking both the currants and gooseberries, and the 

 white pine. It is a question of the destruction of either the 

 currants and gooseberries or the white pine. Of course there 

 is no question in the minds of our people as to which is the 

 most valuable. 



There is some question as to the proper authorities to carry 

 on this work and I earnestly recommend to the incoming Legis- 

 lature that laws be enacted designating officials for the work 

 and also appropriating sufficient funds to stamp out this dis- 

 ease. 



