A NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY. 



Now, as pointed out by Dr. Fernow, from whom I have 

 already quoted, government has what may be called providen- 

 tial functions in regard to natural resources. It is the " rep- 

 resentative not only for communal interests as against individ- 

 ual interests, but also of future interests as against those of 

 the present. * * * Its activity must be with regard to 

 continuity, must provide for the future, must be providential,'* 

 and this in the case of such a natural resource as the one 

 under consideration is possible only under the supervision of 

 permanent institutions, with which present profit is not the 

 only motive. 



These principles embodied in the scientific forestry of the 

 Old World have resulted in the establishment of a well-nigh 

 perfect system under which in France the sandy wastes of Gas- 

 cony have been covered with productive forests, and denuded 

 mountain slopes, the play of destructive torrents, have been 

 clothed again with their protective covering of sod and trees; 

 while in the German Empire a clear annual revenue of 

 $40,000,000 shows something of what is practicable under 

 State control of forest property. 



In the New World, in recent years, one State after 

 another has come to recognize the necessity as well as the rea- 

 sonableness of government care of the forests, and in several 

 States important legislative enactments have defined the 

 policy and rights of the Commonwealth in this direction. 



In the State of New York a law enacted April 25, 1895, 

 provides for a Commission of Fisheries, Game and Forests, 

 with power to appoint thirty-five foresters, whose duty it is to 

 enforce all laws and regulations of the Commission for the pro- 

 tection of fish and game and for the protection and preserva- 

 tion of the forest reserve and all rules and regulations for the 

 care of the Adirondack Park. The law provides further- for 

 the care and superintendence of the forest preserve, for pro- 

 tection against fire, actions for trespasses, and for the pur- 

 chase and taxation of lands belonging to the State. 



The New York State Legislature last year appropriated 



