37 



These figures show that our forests occupy a valuable place in the 

 political economy of the State, aside from their product and the 

 industries dependent on them. In addition to the sanitary benefits, 

 the esthetic advantages, and the maintenance of fish and game, they 

 offer this peculiar source of wealth and further diversification of busi- 

 ness. But it must be remembered that this desirable condition is 

 solely dependent for its continuance on the preservation of the forests, 

 which constitute the sole attraction to the thousands who throng these 

 summer resorts. If the mountain slopes and upland plateaus of the 

 Adirondack and Catskill regions are denuded of their forest cover 

 if in place of these sylvan attractions there is to be only a dreary 

 waste of stump fields and fire blackened areas the thousands of sum- 

 mer visitors will seek other places, the hotels and boarding houses will 

 be tenantless, and the people of the State will lose this source of reve- 

 nue. The permanence of our forests will depend largely on the per- 

 manence of tenure. And there is no permanence of tenure aside 

 from that of the State. 



I append to this report some extracts from the firewarden's reports 



which you will find readable and interesting. They throw a side- 



light on the situation and furnish certain items of information that 



are necessary in obtaining a full and correct idea as to events in the 



Adirondacks during the fires of 1903. 



Trusting that the discussions in this report will meet with your 

 approval, and that the suggestions may receive your favorable con- 

 sideration, I am 



Yours very respectfully, 



WILLIAM F. FOX, 

 Superintendent State Forests. 



ALBANY, N. Y., December 31, 1903. 



