FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 17 



already in some resions more than stand the key to future 

 su})plv, and growth is a subject on which no reliable inform- 

 ation is now to be had. Current ideas of it vary very widel3% 

 and seldom are they based on record or reliable observation. 



Growth, then, not merely in detail but in the gross — the 

 production of the country — is one of the main objects of this 

 study. In that tield we are pioneers. The figures upon 

 spruce growth eml)odied in the last Maine report, worked out 

 from data collected in the employ of the United States 

 Forestry Division were a starting point in this present work. 

 Only a starting point, however. ]Much more work of the 

 same kind had to be done, and a great body of areal and 

 other facts collected before we could arrive at any general 

 conclusions. Particularly was it necessary to examine at first 

 hands the condition and growing power of a wide extent of 

 cut-over lands. Growth is to he the source of our future 

 supply. What have Ave left on the land to grow? 



The field work which is behind this study was a work of 

 great variety and spread over a wide extent of country. On 

 the Kennebec six townships were somewhat carefully exam- 

 ined, while about half the total number of those that are 

 spruce-bearing were personally visited. The burnt lands 

 were mapped from observation and hearsay ; mountains were 

 climbed for the general view ; and week after week spent in 

 cruising the country, making detail studies of its growth, and 

 ascertaining in what shape cutting had left it. This field 

 work has been sup[)lemented whenever possible by inquiry. 

 ]Much indeed has had to be taken in that way, — estimates of 

 merchantal)lc timber rest almost entirely upon information 

 that was so gained. Very much is due to the men w'ho have 

 assisted in this direction. Lumbermen, scalers and others — 

 inquiries have almost always met with appreciation, and the 

 work furthered to the fullest degree. 



All who have any knowledge of the conditions . . 



•^ f As to accu- 



will of course understand that the results of this ^"'^^^■ 

 study cannot lay claim to exactness. The subject is a great 

 2 



