EDITORIAL 



671 



further period of five years. This pro- which so faithfully labored to start the 



gram will be actively urged at the next movement for Federal purchases in the 



session of Congress and it is hoped that Appalachians, will give it active support 

 other associations and organizations, 



now that it is well begun. 



FORESTRY ON A FIRM BASIS IN NEW JERSEY 



THROUGH a group of laws en- 

 acted by the legislature which 

 has just adjourned, and after a 

 State-wide discussion that has 

 subjected the work of the Forest Com- 

 mission to the closest scrutiny, the 

 forest policy of New Jersey seems to be 

 firmly established. 



The most important act is that by 

 which the Forest Commission, and its 

 whole organization including the State 

 Forester and State Firewarden, is con- 

 solidated with the Geological Survey, 

 the Water Supply Commission and two 

 park commissions in a Department of 

 Conservation and Development. This 

 new department is yet to be organized, 

 but the intent of the statute is that for- 

 estry shall be advanced rather than re- 

 tarded in any way. 



The second act authorizes the For- 

 est Commission (and its successor) to 

 establish a patrol, at the cost of the re- 

 sponsible party, wherever an extraor- 

 dinary fire hazard is created. The spe- 

 cific purpose of this is to guard the 

 railroad exposure, which in parts of 

 New Jersey is exceptionally serious. 



The third measure is a complement 

 to the second and authorizes the Forest 

 Commission to require the disposal of 

 brush and litter whenever it shall be 

 accumulated in a way to be dangerous. 



Neither of these control acts is rigid 

 or mandatory but vests in the Forest 

 Commission discretionary power to 

 abate a nuisance. 



For the present forestry in New Jer- 

 sey is largely a question of fire control ; 

 behind that lie exceptional opportunities 

 in management based upon the mild 

 climate, warm soil, and unusual market 

 conditions. 



The modifications in the game laws 

 which were desired, one of which was 

 recommended by the Governor, have not 

 been secured. The property owners of 

 the State, therefore, continue to be ex- 

 posed to the very serious hazard that is 

 created every fall by the hunters. 



A much-desired revision of the shade 

 tree laws has also been secured. As 

 New Jersey has been a leader in this 

 direction the new act is likely to be of 

 value outside the State as well as to 

 its own municipalities. 



Change in Address. 



Members of the American Forestry Association are requested to 

 send notification of any change in address so that the American 

 Forestry Magazine and other mail will not be delayed in reaching 

 them. 



Such notices are desired before the 25th of each month so that the 

 address may be changed for the monthly mailing of the magazine. 



