/ 



180 FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 



it. Where the owners of tin]l)erhind are at the same time 

 its cutters, particularly if they cut to stock their own mills, 

 there the greatest degree of economy is secured. On the 

 other hand where the stumpage system is in vogue, where, 

 that is, the owner of land does not cut it, but permits its cut- 

 ting to another who may or may not manufacture the lumber 

 also, there great wastes are sure to occur. 



Lastly in the connection are the wastes that arise from our 

 method of measuring lumber. If there is any excuse for 

 longer endurance of this, if after the facts are known there is 

 reason for hesitation in estal)lishing by law a rational, just 

 and uniform system of measuring lumber, that reason has not 

 occurred to the present writer. 



Next as to exhaustion of our forests. On this theme we 

 have in recent years heard very much. Some practical men 

 believe it. Others dispute it. What is the fact? 

 p-^i. ..,.f5<,., ^^11 the ireneral subject 1 cannot refrain from 

 of torestfs. registering the Opinion that the best indication we 

 yet have is the judgment, evidenced in price of lumber, of 

 business men. If official statistics and predictions are more 

 reliable, there are at least many in the country who are 

 unconvinced of it. How should it ])e otherwise indeed? 

 Where is the volume of detail study from which alone reliable 

 scientitic conclusions can be drawn as to the resources of the 

 country? 



And if the judgment of practical men is still to count, we 

 have, to say the least, no need to fear an impending timlier 

 famine. Prices show no tendency to panic. Great natural 

 stores still remain, and the enterprise of American business 

 men, exercised particularly in the development of transpor- 

 tation, is gradually bringing them into use. 

 wiiatiiiis Cominii' back to our own proper field, the timber 



M 1X1116 to C* 11' 



expect. resoui'ces of the State of Maine, a similar conserva- 



tive attitude must in general l)e maintained. By far the 

 greater portion of the State is covered with trees, and it is » 

 perfectly certain that it will remain so. The poor soil assures 

 us that the greater portion of the surface of the State never 



