FORESTER'S REPORT. 23 



As these properties cost but $45,277, or an average of $3.30 

 per acre, they can scarcely fail to increase in value. The aim of 

 the Commission is to redeem them from their low estate, first 

 by keeping out fire, and second by such thinnings, fellings and 

 plantings as are practicable. They are already valuable as ex- 

 amples of what fire protection will do; in time each will yield 

 a revenue that should represent an annual interest on the in- 

 vestment. 



NO EFFORT TO OWN LARGE AREAS. 



As is indicated at page 9, the Forest Commission deems it 

 wiser to devote its efforts to uplifting the woodlands of the 

 state without regard to ownership than to strive to increase 

 the state's possessions. This is not at all in harmony with the 

 policies or the desires of most states, but since little land can 

 be acquired except by purchase, and since the removal of any 

 large area from the tax list is of at least questionable wisdom, 

 New Jersey is satisfied to provide demonstration forests and 

 forego larger possessions. We do need more demonstration 

 forests small tracts in the agricultural sections which can be 

 so managed as to afford object lessons to individual owners. 

 Mount Laurel (see p. 24) is of this class. Nor does the argu- 

 ment against the acquisition of reserves in general preclude the 

 purchase of property from time to time which may have a pecu- 

 liar value. The Commission now has under consideration the 

 acquisition of a piece of land which will simplify the boundaries 

 of Stokes Reserve and of another adjoining Bass River Reserve. 



WHARTON TRACT. 



The project of the state Water Supply Commission to acquire 

 what is known as the Wharton Tract is moving forward. If 

 this great area shall finally come into the control of the state 

 we shall have a large forest reserve as well as a unique source 

 of potable water. The Forest Commission is interested in the 

 plan and is p 1 edged to do its part in the development of the 

 woodlands. The tract includes about 100,000 acres, of which 

 not less than 80,000 acres are forested. 



