PREFACE. ix 



Law Authorizing this Survey and Report. 



[Laws of New JerseySession J 894, Chapter CXX.] 



1. BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of 

 New Jersey. That the state geologist, under the direction of the board of 

 managers of the geological survey, and with the assistance of a competent 

 botanist to be selected by said board for his expert knowledge of forestry 

 and of the forest trees of this state, and such other expert assistance as 

 may be required for the purpose, shall make an investigation to ascertain 

 the extent, character and location of the wild lands in this state which 

 are suited for permanent occupation by forests rather than by agriculture, 

 and shall report the results of such investigation to the legislature, 

 together with a statement of what part or parts of such lands would be 

 suitable for a state forest reserve, and the advantages as regards the 

 timber-supply, water-supply, scenery and climate of the state, which 

 would accrue from the conservation of existing forests by the establish- 

 ment of such reserve or otherwise ; the investigation so to be made shall 

 determine the extent to which forests of timber of commercial value now 

 exist in the state, and include a study of the localities and areas which 

 are specially adapted to the growth of designated kinds of timber of com- 

 mercial value ; it shall also include an examination as to the presence or 

 absence of forest cover upon the slopes and summits of the more important 

 water-sheds of the state, and a study of the effect of such conditions as 

 now exist upon the maintenance of the streams therein and the regulation 

 of the freshet-flow thereof ; the report to the legislature shall state the 

 arguments touching the beneficial effect, upon climate and rainfall 

 attributable to the presence of forests, and shall likewise present an out- 

 line of the policy and legislation of other states and countries for the 

 preservation of forests and their regulation for public ends, so far as the 

 same may be applicable to this state. 



2. And be it enacted, That the expense of making such investigation 

 and report, shall, when duly audited by the board of managers and 

 approved by the governor and comptroller, be paid out of the funds in the 

 treasury not otherwise appropriated, and shall be limited to five thousand 

 dollars. 



3. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately. 

 Approved May i, 1894. 



