101 



value of all the taxable property of the state has been raised, has received 

 no attention whatever. 



Whether this course ought to he continued, and if not what remedy shall 

 be adopted by the state, is for the legislative power, and not for this com- 

 mission to determine ; and to tliat august power it must be left at last. So 

 too, must be kft to the same power the final responses to the third and fourth 

 propositions of the act under which we have been appointed, viz: 



III. Whether, owing to the want of information in individuals and the 

 shortness of their lives, it is the duty of the state to interpose its authority 

 to prevent an undue destruction of forest trees where they now exist, and to 

 encourage their cultivation where they are now deficient. 



IV. Whether any and what scientific experiments or investigations should 

 should be made to ascertain the best methods of growing and managing for- 

 est trees. 



The necessity for the information on the several points here contemplated 

 has been felt by the eommiesioners at every step of their work; and it must 

 be felt by all who shall undertake to follow them, as it has been by such as 

 have gone before. Private enterprise cannot be expected to perform the 

 herculean labor of making the experiments necessary to procure all that is 

 needed ; and in-as-much as when obtained it must result more to the public 

 good, than to that of the individual, so no one man or society of men ought 

 to be expected to perform it, without public aid. 



Before determining what shall be done towards making experiments and 

 gathering the requisite information, it is first necessary to settle the ques- 

 t'on, shall anything more be done, and how much ? After that point is de- 

 termined the manner and means are mere matter of detail. 



Seeing the subject in this light, we respectfully submit the whole matter 

 to the future action of the legislature, content, if we have given any light 

 upon or excited any interest in this most important subject, and with the be- 

 lief that the time is not far distant when it will receive that attention which 

 its importance demands. 



