107 



There cannot be too many such experiments tried. Whatever bene- 

 fit accrues from them will be most largely reaped by the region in 

 which they are conducted. For the first time in the history of the 

 State there are indications that some of the large tracts from which 

 the timber has been removed will soon be placed under competent 

 forest management. 



In order that there may be no misapprehension or misundeTstand- 

 ing as to the full meaning of the recent legislative enactments con- 

 cerning forest fires, copies of these have been provided, and it is hoped 

 that early in the new year every constable and every county commis- 

 sioner within the limits of the Commonwealth will be fully informed 

 upon the new duties which these laws have imposed upon them. We 

 shall also see that they are circulated among such of our citizens as 

 have an interest in them and who would be likely to call attention to 

 any neglect to enforce them. 



The public interest in the w r ork of the Division of Forestry is evi- 

 dently on the increase. Inquiries for information from this office al- 

 most invariably receive a prompt reply, and spontaneous offers of help 

 from influential citizens are of daily occurrence. We have sent out 

 during the past year about tw r elve thousand, five hundred circulars to 

 the officials and citizens of the State. Most of these contained ques- 

 tions upon subjects w r hich were under investigation here. The re- 

 mainder were reports or copies of recently enacted forestry laws. 



Respectfully yours, 



" J. T. ROTHROCK, 

 Commissioner of Forestry. 



