REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 9 



cost is considerable it is intended to establish the service only 

 where the chief beneficiaries will bear a part of the expense. 

 The same principle will extend to the maintenance of lookouts. 



PRIVATE FORESTRY. 



Unless those who own the forests can be induced to practice 

 forestry there will be little forestry in New Jejrsey, because the 

 purchase by the State of any considerable area is out of the 

 question. The Commission, therefore, is striving to interest in- 

 dividuals, corporations and municipalities. As a basis for this it 

 can be shown that there is no great need to plant forests, see 

 p. 22; that though our original timber forests were cut long 

 ago we still have abundant "second-growth" : in reality often 

 fourth or fifth growth, to start with there are two million acres 

 of it. Forestry is now practiced in a more or less intensive way 

 on not far from two hundred thousand. acres ten per cent of 

 the total, and the State foresters are advising a goodly propor- 

 tion of the owners. Though what is done often includes no 

 more than protection from fire and abuse, that as a beginning 

 will lead naturally to growing timber crops which is forestry. 

 In direct response to the efforts of the Commission, its practical 

 assistance, and its published advice are private woodlands being 

 brought under management. New Jersey stands third amongst 

 the States in density of population ; our forests must serve as 

 play grounds as well as producers of lumber. See p. 27. 



FOREST RESERVES. 



The value of the state reserves as demonstration areas is 

 amply shown wherever they have been established. Every piece 

 of practical forestry carried out on one of them' has been imitated 

 by nearby owners. It is desirable that small reserves, capable 

 >f immediate effective treatment be located in every part of the 

 Jtate. Except in this way the Commission does not now advo- 

 cate increasing the State's holdings. 



The aggregate area of all State reserves is 13,720 acres. They 

 have escaped fire entirely this year and are improving in condi- 

 tion and value. See p. 22. 



