Report of the Forest Commission 



The ninth annual report of the Forest Commission is made 

 with strong assurance that a work of positive value is being ac- 

 complished. There is no need to prove that New Jersey needs 

 lumber, nor that forest fires are wasteful, nor that conservation 

 of forests is desirable. The Commission has taken all this for 

 granted and has set itself the task of educating the whole citi- 

 zenship in respect to the aims of forestry and demonstrating its 

 applications. 



The Commission feels that its efforts are appreciated, that the 

 economy of forestry is apparent, that the reform of long stand- 

 ing abuses is proven a possibility, that the people are with it, and 

 that there can be no backward step. 



It is worth bearing in mind that the powers of the Commis- 

 sion are chiefly constructive and advisory; that its duty is, not 

 to execute an established policy and a fixed routine, but to 

 popularize a new subject and make practical application of its 

 principles. The sole compensation of its members consists in 

 the satisfaction that comes of worth-while service. The policy 

 that it formulates, the measures that it devises, the interest and 

 enthusiasm that it awakens are made effective by the State For- 

 ester and State Firewarden whose reports, published herewith, 

 show specifically what is being done. The cardinal points of 

 the Commission's effort are these : 



Forest fire control is an absolute condition precedent to the 

 practice of any kind of forestry. The chief effort is, therefore, 

 in this direction. 



The practice of forestry by those who own the forests is pref- 

 erable to state purchase and control. 



Development of the forests we have through protection and 

 care is wiser than planting more forests. 



State forest reserves should be limited to tracts held for dem- 

 onstration, for water control and other specific purposes. 



Shade trees are vital to every community. 



This entire program, except in respect to shade trees, seeks to 



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