REPORT ON FORESTS. 263 



Another point of great advantage is, that the forest is not con- 

 tinuous, but cut into parcels, with farm lands and glades inter- 

 vening. In fact it is a land of thrifty forests without foresters, 

 and practically without the need of forest laws. 



For private holdings of pine lands, I am inclined to favor this 

 method of management, under the peculiar conditions existing 

 in certain parts of America. In this way the forest constantly 

 yields, indirectly, an important income. It is simply a rotation 

 of crops, of which the pine is the most important, producing 

 throughout its whole life a material which, to the farmer of the 

 eastern shore of Virginia, is of more value than wood.* 



It is easily seen, from the condition of the forest industries 

 which have just been described, that the Coastal Plain of New 

 Jersey has passed through the first and most lucrative stage of 

 its existence. The time is at hand for the establishment of 

 industries with permanency in view. The most important step 

 in the right direction would be the protection of its woodlands, 

 game, fish, oysters and clams, which were once so abundant. 



* By this system of culture the pine naturally and quickly regenerates. Large quantities of swine 

 run in the forest in this region, and probably do as much good as damage in keeping the soil loose on 

 the surface and by covering the seeds in the process of rooting. 



