FIRST ANNUAL REPORT 



of the 



STATE FORESTER 



INTRODUCTION. 



During the past ten or fifteen years the importance of a State forestry 

 policy with sufficient appropriations to make the work effective has been 

 recognized by the majority of States. In bringing about wise forest legisla- 

 tion, securing protection of forest lands from fire, encouraging reforesta- 

 tion, establishing State forests and promoting an interest in the growing 

 and care of trees, greater advances have been made during the last 15 

 years than during all the previous history of the country. Large sums of 

 money are being appropriated by the States for forestry purposes. The 

 legislative enactments made along forestry lines, the liberal appropriations 

 passed, the exhaustive systems of fire protection administered and the 

 general plans undertaken for the advancement of forestry knowledge and 

 interest are a matter of profound amazement to one who is not familiar 

 with the forest policies of different States. In most States forest fires 

 are no longer permitted to run unchecked but are extinguished before 

 they have covered much ground. In addition every conceivable kind of 

 measure is now brought into servi6e to prevent fires from starting. Fire 

 control is operated on a systematic basis with the result of saving millions 

 of dollars annually from fire losses. There are State nurseries where trees 

 for planting are grown by the millions and sold to residents within the 

 States at cost prices. Some States actually do the planting for their 

 citizens charging only the cost of the stock and the actual expenses of 

 the planting. Large areas are being purchased as State forests to be 

 managed by the -States in order to conserve the water supplies, provide 

 future timber for local use and to serve as examples of the proper handling 

 of forest lands. Farmers' woodlots are operated on a financial basis by 

 advice and practical assistance of State forestry agents. Laws to protect 

 roadside trees from abuse and to encourage planting are well recognized. In 

 some States the planting and protection of young growth are encouraged 

 through special measures to relieve young forests from burdensome taxation. 

 State forestry is being developed to serve the public along many lines. 

 Much of the farsightedness and wisdom of the present day forest policies 

 in the States is due to the efforts of the National Government which offers 

 aid in fire protection, woodlot management and along other lines to States 

 which maintain suitable forest policies. 



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