DIVISION OF FORESTRY. 



18o 



dearor has been made to ascertain with greater precision the extent of 

 our forests. Still it is difficult to ascertain their locality and extent 

 witli that degree of accuracy that is desirable. It has been a matter of 

 surprise not unfrequently, in making inquiries on the subject, to fini'; 

 how little accurate knowledge persons have of the forest condition of 

 their own State. Most widely discrepant accounts have been received 

 from persons Uving in the same State or Territory. In several case.^ 

 the State officials, when applied to, have been able to give no satisfVic- 

 tory information. There seems to be no accepted standard by which lo 

 determine what shall be classed as forest land, how abundant the trees 

 must be or in what proximity to each other, in order to bring them 

 within the classification of forest, in distinction from waste or pasture, 

 land. It is not claimed that the following table is minutely accurate, 

 but it is believed to be a closer approximation to a correct representa- 

 tion of the present extent of our forest area than has hitherto been 

 given. As showing at once the distribution and relative amount of 

 forests in the various States and Territories, another representation has 

 been made graphically, and is herewith also shown : 



