State Wild Life Memorial 17 



Board of Trustees of the College of Forestry, gave loyal support to 

 the migratory bird treaty with Canada, upon the basis of the pro- 

 tective value which birds give forests in destroying harmful insects. 

 The decision of Justice Holmes, of the United States Supreme 

 Court, acknowledges the value of this kind of forest protection. 

 This is only one phase of the special work to which the Station is 

 demoted, and it is a fine example of the kind of research which will 

 guide the State and nation in enacting just and constructive legis- 

 lation and making wise decisions in our courts. 



For several years the College has advocated the investigation of 

 the game vermin of the State and means for its control, but funds 

 have been lacking to advance this work. Now it is hoped that the 

 Station can make a good start on this important problem and deter- 

 mine the relation of game vermin to the problem of fur production, 

 as well as its relation to game management. A scientific study is 

 needed of the winter life of the Adirondack deer; and the beaver 

 problem in the Adirondacks is also in urgent need of careful tech- 

 nical study, from the standpoint of the forest trees, of water storage, 

 as well as its influence on trout. 



The fur industry in the State is in vital need of scientific guidance 

 with regard to the natural history of our fur-bearing animals. The 

 sudden rise of New York City to leadership in the dressed fur 

 markets of the world is an event of great importance, only slightly 

 appreciated by many. We have never had a careful study of the 

 chief fur-bearing animals of the State, such as the muskrat, skunk, 

 and the raccoon. The Station has made a start on these problems 

 and deserves hearty support from all who are interested. 



These are but a few examples of the kind of work in which the 

 Roosevelt Wild Life Forest Experiment Station is now engaged, 

 or for which it is making comprehensive plans. These suffice to 

 indicate what the Station is doing in various parts of the State in 

 attempting to solve the more practical and urgent problems con- 

 cerned with forest wild life, and in such manner as to make the 

 Station a worthy memorial of New York State to Theodore 

 Roosevelt.* 



* Reprinted by permission of Mr. James Malcolm, Editor, from State 

 Service (Magazine), Vol. 5, pp. 57-60, 1921. 



