FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 207 



must be roiio-h and results only approximate. Tliat, however, 

 will not practically decrease their value. 



Knowledae of this kind must be some time gained for the 

 whole country. It can only be got by work that is local in 

 scope and that deals sti'ongly with details. Its value for the 

 State of jNIainc cannot he too highly set. AVithout it no 

 intelligent pul)lic })olicy toward the forests and lumber busi- 

 ness can be estal)lislied. Without it individuals cannot 

 manage to l)ost advantage their own possessions. At present 

 we are in complete lack of any such information. Without 

 appreciation of it as a public work and reasonably generous 

 support by the people of the State of those who are ready to 

 lead in the matter, the acquisition of it must be long post- 

 poned. 



This department has done what it could with the means at 

 hand, more, indeed, than could fairly be expected of it. We 

 have shown what there is to gain, and have shown further 

 how it is to be gained. Without more liberal support, how- 

 ever, the work must stop. 



The results of our efforts are given to the State hopeful of 

 approval as regards l)oth matter and spirit. As the final 

 result of our labor and consideration we commend to the peo- 

 ple of the State the care of the forest, believing that in its 

 preservation and intelligent handling is one help to our future 

 prosperity. 



