FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 203 



of our practice must be of our own devising. The purpose of 

 it, however, must be the same, the obtaining of a steady yield 

 of vahuible wood from hmd : the principles of it cannot be 

 dirtcrent because both alike must look for guidance to reason 

 and nature. 



How nuich we may be able to reap from land under our 

 business conditions, only trial again can tell. It seems, how- 

 ever, judging from the facts embodied in this report, that 

 carefully studied cuttin»-, cutting that is economical and has 

 a distinct view to future growth, a S3'stem, however, that is 

 practicable from a business point of view, might doul)le or 

 treble the growth that can now be expected from the countiy. 

 That indeed would be a strikinof advance. It would mean 

 much to the future prosperity of the State. One accomplished 

 success in that line, one Avild township successfully handled 

 for stead}^ yield, would be a valuable object lesson not alone 

 to the State of Maine, but to the whole country whose areas 

 of forest land must some time come to be handled on the 

 same principle. 



Here this long labor must be brought to a close. That is 

 done with a knowledge of its imperfections, a strong sense of 

 its limitation in comparison with what might be. Nature 

 calls to her study so invitingly, the possibilities so open in 

 every direction, the promise of usefulness is so great to one 

 who has looked over this tield, that one work ended can be 

 satisfactorily viewed only as a step[)ing stone to further results, 

 of greater scope and value. To the forest conunissi(merof the 

 State, with thanks for the opportunity to do this work, 

 with thanks also for encouragement and co-operation during 

 its execution, the results are respectfully submitted. 



AUSTIN GARY. 



