44 FOREST RESOURCES OF TEXAS. 



or less sporadic cutting of timber without his consent. The pine lands 

 of Texas are not unique in this respect, but here as elsewhere has 

 harbored that unfortunate type of woods dweller who feels that he has 

 an inalienable right to depredate upon the forest property of the larger, 

 and especially the nonresident, owner. Here, again, it seems more a 

 question of developing an enlightened conscience and a disapproving 

 public sentiment than of combating a positive criminal tendency, but 

 it must be understood that a man's forest property has the same pro- 

 tection against the trespasser and depredator as has his immediate 

 residence property. 



(4) Losses l>y disease and injurious insects. At present the loss of 

 timber from "red heart" a fungous disease is a very serious matter 

 for the timber owner. Scientific investigations into the causes of 

 damage to timber, and of possible preventive measures, may effect a 

 great saving and proportionately stimulate private management by 

 increasing the yield. Such investigations are for the public benefit, 

 and may well be undertaken at public expense. It is not to be 

 expected that the private owner will undertake them for the public 

 good. 



WHAT THE STATE CAN DO FOR PRIVATE MANAGEMENT. 



The State can further the practice of forest management by private 

 owners by (a) legislation, (b) education, (c) police protection, (d) inves- 

 tigation of forest problems. 



(a) The taxation of forest lands, timber stealing, and forest fires 

 should be considered with reference to existing laws and the possi- 

 bility of improving conditions by their modification or by the addition 

 of new laws. 



(b) Information concerning paying methods of management should 

 be diffused, public interest in the preservation of the forest as an 

 economic resource should be awakened, and a healthy sentiment con- 

 cerning the necessity of care to prevent fires should be built up. 



(c) Proper officers should be charged with the definite duty of detect- 

 ing and punishing those who steal, or wantonly, maliciously, or for 

 their own advantage injure or destroy timber, and the most efficient 

 protection possible should be devised for this form of property. 



(d) It is worth considering what the State can do to secure, either 

 through experiment stations or by cooperation with institutions cap- 

 able of conducting the necessary ^researches, or with the aid of the 

 Bureau of Forestry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, scientific 

 study of such questions connected with forestry as are likely to yield 

 valuable practical results. 



To devise and direct a permanent policy along the lines suggested, 

 the establishment of a State forest board or commission would be 

 desirable. 



