258 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY, ROADS AND 

 ROADSIDE IMPROVEMENTS. 



[Read aud accepted at the Annual Meeting, Jan. 13, 1903.] 



In behalf of the committee on forestry, roads and roadside 

 improvements this report is presented. 



Forestry. — The present scarcity of coal has increased the 

 demand for Avood as fuel, and appears to have raised the 

 price asked for both cord and standing wood, and of the land 

 upon which such is grown. It has developed a recklessness 

 in the treatment of wood lands, that will be more evident to 

 future generations than to the present owners or occupants. 

 The injury from insects is felt in the forests, sprout land, 

 shade and other trees of this State, to the injury of all. 

 The value to the economies of the State of an understanding 

 of the rules of forestry in their most advanced form should 

 be kept before our citizens. 



The forestry schools, at Cornell University, Yale Univer- 

 sity, Biltmore and elsewhere, are doing much to enlighten 

 our people, and produce educated leaders in the interest of 

 our nation's increasing forestry needs. 



Roads. — The importance of good roads cannot be over- 

 estimated. A good road is the means of increasing the 

 power requisite to haul teams, but a bad spot in a long stretch 

 of roadway is like a weak link in a chain. But we cannot 

 expect completeness on these, or other lines, too quickly. 

 This subject is placed in charge of the Highway Commission, 

 who have the improvement of the Commonwealth's roads in 

 their care. 



Roadside Lnprovements. — It is gratifying to notice that 

 His Excellency Governor Bates has referred to the im- 

 portance of this subject in his inaugural address, in connec- 



