TtiE SPRUCE INVESTIGATION. 22? 



of the water ways of the State find their first source of supply, 

 should, in order to preserve normal, climatic and other condi- 

 tions, have 50 to 60 per cent, of its surface covered by perpetual 

 forests. 



I would judge that not much over 25 per cent, of the area is 

 at present bare of timber, including land utilized for agricul- 

 tural purposes, and that denuded by the timberman and by 

 fires. This would leave 75 per cent, covered with forest 

 growth, including the original, or virgin forests, and that cov- 

 ered by second growth in worked over or burned over sections. 



If it takes 50 years to work up, or in other words, harvest 

 the merchantable timber of all kinds now standing in this 

 area, and at the same time, proper attention is given to the 

 protection of the young and second growth, it is possible to per- 

 petuate the forests indefinitely. At the same time it can be 

 made to yield an annual cash income that will justify the ef- 

 fort, to say nothing of the general benefit the agricultural and 

 other interests the State will derive from the perpetuation of 

 this large percent, of forest covering. Yet, while it is possible 

 to perpetuate this wealth in natural forest resources, will it be 

 done ? This depends upon the action of the present owner, 

 their successors, and the general public or State. 



As to present owners, consisting of resident farmers, resident 

 and non-resident real estate speculators, manufacturing and 

 transpoVtation companies, it is evident that the actions of some 

 of them will tend to prevent the perpetuation of this wealth, 

 especially those who intend removing to other sections of the 



Fig. XVIII a Tops of Young Spruce Forest on border of Mountain Pasture. 



