16 



tures in various portions of the States, and others in surrounding 

 states \\heiv his services have been asked, and it is needless to add 

 thai these lectures have had much to do with forming public opinion 

 into such a condition that has rendered the legislation above alluded 

 to not only possible, but also popular. 



The di'siriictioii ol' ilie special report of this division by the burning 

 of the State Capitol was a misfortune, but the almost unanimous pass- 

 age of an act of the Legislature for reprinting it, furnished but another 

 proof oi' (lie fact that an unusual and lasting interest has been 

 awakeaed in our State on this subject. 



The special report of Dr. Rothrock shows that the division has over 

 .!,")( Ml pract ical correspondents, and that a large number of blanks have 

 been sent out asking for information relative to the amount of timber 

 which has been cut during the year, the condition and value of that 

 left standing and for information upon other topics relating to the 

 forest interests of our State, and the replies already received to these 

 circulars of inquiry clearly prove that Dr. Rothrock will be able to 

 lay before our next Legislature information of such a practical char- 

 acter as will relieve the division from any mistaken criticism and show 

 the wisdom of the legislation secured last winter. 



Arrangements have been made to secure special reports from ex- 

 perts in relation to the relations of our forests to water powers which, 

 owing to the rapid introduction of electricity as a power, are annually 

 becoming more valuable and more worthy of protection. The study 

 of the various fungi which causes more or less loss to our forests, 

 shade and fruit trees has also had the attention of the division, and it 

 lias been the pleasure of the Department to heartily co-operate with 

 Dr. Rothrock in this special direction. 



At several times during the past year, the attention of the Depart- 

 ment has been directed to the loss of shade, fruit, forest and orna- 

 mental trees from the exhalations of mines and certain manufacturing 

 industries; this subject has been referred to Dr. Rothrock and his as- 

 sistants, and his forthcoming report will, I am sure, deal with the 

 problem in a manner which will prove satisfactory to all concerned, 

 and will enable the Legislature, if action is necessary, to act intelli- 

 gently in relation to the subjects involved. 



The following quotation from a friend of the forestry cause in our 

 Sfa(e is so appropriate that I transfer it to my report as conveying my 

 own sentiments: 



"The division is young. It deals with problems hitherto new and 



unsolved in our Commonwealth. T/ is safe to assume, however, that 



.Magnitude and importance of its operations will become more and 



more apparent with each successive year, and that henceforth it must 



be considered as an essential factor of our State ( Jovei nnient." 



