STATE BOARD OF FORESTRY 



Improvement work has been conducted on the State reserves with 

 the object of providing the best fire protection and placing them in 

 the most productive condition. 



This report covers the main administrative activities of the Board 

 for the past two years, as conducted by the State ForesteY. 



EDUCATIONAL WORK. 



A study of the forest conditions in the State such as has been con- 

 ducted for the past seven years through the various lines of investi- 

 gation, enumerated under Forest Investigations in the later pages of 

 this report, has clearly demonstrated that the practice of forestry in 

 Maryland is not only thoroughly feasible but it is being realized to 

 an increasing extent. That this is so is due to certain favorable 

 conditions for timber growing, such as : 



A moderate climate with an abundance of rainfall, conducive to 

 the rapid growth of timber. 



Suitable soil conditions in sufficient variety to encourage the 

 growth of many species of commercial value. This variety of soil 

 conditions and altitude gives to the State a variety of tree species 

 that is probably unknown in any other area of equal size in the coun- 

 try; and, furthermore, the species that are most common are those 

 of the greatest commercial value. 



All parts of the State are within comparatively easy reach of large 

 centers of distribution, and with the excellent transportation facilities 

 available, both by rail and by water, there is a good market for forest 

 products of all kinds. The city of Baltimore is a lumber center of 

 importance and carries on an extensive export trade. 



The rapid increase in the stumpage value of timber has empha- 

 sized the importance of timber growing on a commercial scale, and, 

 with the other favorable conditions that exist, those who own forest 

 land are beginning to realize the possibility of large revenues from 

 this source. 



The Board feels, therefore, that the practice of forestry in the 

 State is largely a matter of educating the present owners of wood- 

 lands to a realization of the possibilities in timber growing. To this 



