47 



of the insect, pests. The marketing of timber deteriorating from the pres- 

 ence of fungi would preclude serious loss. 



Of other forest enemies, storms, lightning, snow, gnawing animals, etc., 

 we have our occasional outbreaks, but none of sufficient magnitude in 

 recent years to cause serious loss. The destruction frequently resulting 

 from the first agent could usually be very much reduced if prompt meas- 

 ures were taken to market, as soon as possible, all timber that had in any 

 way been irrepai*ably injured. 



We should carefully guard every avenue of waste. Our inexhaustible 

 fuel beds should be made, as far as possible, to take the place of the more 

 valuable timber that is now being used for wood. INIany so-called worth- 

 less and cheap woods could doubtless be substituted for valuable kinds 

 now generally used and a more accurate knowledge of the propei'ties of 

 our various woods by our wood workers would effect a great saving. 

 More ui>to-date methods of sawing, happily now being largely used, 

 would also increase our resources. 



The importance of our forests to our State should now be apparent. 

 Their influence on the rainfall secures in time and place results of greatest 

 benefit to all. They likewise influence in a beneficial way the immediate 

 climatic conditions, the value of our soil for agricultural purposes and the 

 production of a satisfactory fruit crop. They determine very largely the 

 number and character of our streams, their importance as water-ways, 

 and the abundance of food fishes. They are indispensable to flourishing- 

 manufacturing and commercial industries, thus affecting the distribution 

 of population. I may also add, we owe something to them for the mainte- 

 nance of good sanitation and low mortality. 



The very much depleted condition of our forests and the danger of 

 their complete destruction from the forces just enumerated calls for 

 immediate and vigorous action. This should be along two well defined 

 lines: education and legislation. The land owners of the State can be 

 forced to do but little, but by judicious and united efforts a public senti- 

 ment can be created in favor of the movement and tlie majority of the 

 forest owners will join in the efforts to secure practical results. 



The State, county and township agricultural associations at all public 

 gatherings should present forestry topics for discussion, and here, as else- 

 where, competent persons should present the facts applicable to local 

 conditions, giving to the farmers simple and practical directions for the 

 care of their forests and the most economical methods for increasing their 



