44 



Early records show that our tishiiiy- industry was very important and 

 the source of no little revenue that provided the sole support of many of 

 oiu" citizens. Nearly all of this has passed away, fishing is not now an 

 established Ijusiness and the food tishes are gradually disappearing from 

 our streams. It is true that seining, dynamitijig, and other methods of 

 illegal fishing and stream pollution are responsible for much of this, but 

 the complete disappearance of many streams and the steady reduction of 

 others, with the uncertainty of their volume, has been by far the largest 

 factor in the decline. This uncertain fiow and decrease in volume pre- 

 vents the stream from clearing itself particularly in the summer when the 

 dajiger from its pollution is greatest. Such waters are not suitable either 

 for the homes of fish or their spawning and we must change the character 

 of our streams if we expect to return to our former conditions. 



The present condition of the forests in the State as they appear from 

 a general examination makes us realize the magnitude of the problem 

 we are facing. Nothing succeeds like success, and to this might be added 

 nothing fails like failure. This is exemplified in studying the large tracts 

 of partially cleared and neglected timber land all over our State. A 

 great portion of this area is covered with old and ill-shapen trees of valu- 

 able woods not removed in lumbering and many thrifty trees of wood that 

 is not noAV considered valuable and. in addition to this, many thrifty- 

 trees of good timber not yet large enough to be marketable, growing with- 

 out any care or attention, too isolated to secure for the valuable trees 

 the benefits of natural pruning that Avould result in clear stems, or to se- 

 cure for the vicinity the natural advantages of a forest in retaining the 

 forest litter or influencing the soil, water supply, and to some extent the 

 climatic conditions. At the same time the trees are too close and afford 

 too much shade to permit the growth of good grass. The problem is too 

 complex for the average owner, the whole area grows steadily Avorse and 

 soon ceases to excite a desire for improvement in the mind of the holder. 



The causes of tliis decline in our forests, beyond the legitimate clear- 

 ing for cultivation, have been many, but the most important of all has been 

 man's greed and the desire for immediate realization of his lieritage. 

 This desire has not been curbed by an appreciation of the importance of 

 our forests to our prosperity. For this educated people, who are conscious 

 of the many important consequences resulting from the decline of our 

 forests, are more or less responsil)le. 



