460 



indicate that the time for destructive criticisms of present attempts for 

 its solution has passed, and that the time has arrived for cooperation in 

 this work. If this cannot be given, the criticism should at least be con- 

 structive. In eight years of service on the State Board of Forestry, it 

 has been my privilege to hear many sharp criticisms of its personnel and 

 its work, but in all that time there has come neither to the board nor to 

 any individual member of it a single suggestion as to how either might be 

 improved. 



It may be assumed without argument that a complete invoice of the 

 present stand, as to amount, composition and distribution is absolutely ne- 

 cessary in order to secure results which are even approximately satisfac- 

 tory. As a matter of fact, it has been demonstrated that with the present 

 sources of information and with the present limitations as to the functions 

 of the State Board of Forestry the collection of such data is absolutely im- 

 possible. Yet, it is evident that such a census of our forests and such knowl- 

 edge of tbeir composition and distribution are conditions precedent to any 

 successful work looking to the maintenance of our timber supply. It is 

 at this point that the state should cooperate with the National Forest 

 Service. In many states, such a forest census has been or is being taken, 

 the Forest Service detailing experts for the work and the state paying the 

 expenses of the survey. Such cooperation gives the most complete, the 

 most accurate and the most easily comparable results in the shortest time 

 and at the least expense. If such cooperative work is impossible, then the 

 Board of Forestry should as rapidly as its means will permit, collect and 

 organize information covering these points. The slightest consideration 

 of the future of the forests and of the wood-working industries of the 

 state will show that the results of such a census would prove of the high- 

 est importance, not only in determining the policy of the state but in em- 

 phasizing the significance and value of existing timbered areas. 



There is need also of much more exact and indeed of much additional 

 knowledge in relation to the selection of species for planting in the differ- 

 ent soil, drainage and exposure conditions of the state. There is need 

 also of equally exact knowledge concerning the silvical qualities of these 

 species, the most economical methods of propagation, their spacing in 

 plantings, their cultivation and care and above all their rate of growth 

 under variant conditions. The securing of such data is a matter of years 

 of continuous experimentation and this work the state is properly under- 



