11. Forest Policy and Silvicultural Suggestions. 



FOREST POLICY. 



As has been explained already, there exists in Southern New- 

 Jersey a vast area of land which is in a deplorably unproductive 

 state. It is sufficient to say that in the hands of private owners, 

 under the circumstances which at present exist, the future of a 

 large part of this land is not bright. A change of some kind is- 

 necessary, and this must come either in the form of a change 

 of ownership or of the circumstances which fetter ownership. 



The only way in which the ownership may be quickly and 

 materially changed would be by State purchase. It is question- 

 able whether under the circumstances State ownership would 

 be justifiable, and whether, even if it could be easily accomplished,, 

 it would improve the situation. The State ownership of forest 

 land in New Jersey is only justifiable on the ground that the 

 presence of forests is necessary for purposes of protection 

 against the destructive forces of nature, for pleasure parks or 

 for the purpose of preserving the beauty of certain unusually 

 beautiful or wonderful localities, such as the Palisades. 



It is generally conceded in this country that State ownership 

 of forest land for revenue is unnecessary. The American people, 

 in fact the Anglo-Saxon race as a whole, has a wholesome aver- 

 sion to the participation of the State in industries for the pur- 

 pose of revenue. 



Many claim that even in cases where the forest exerts no very 

 marked influence in a protective way against the destructive 

 forces of nature, that the State ownership of forests is justifi- 

 able on the grounds that it requires so long for trees to mature 

 that private individuals are unable to grow and handle them 

 satisfactorily to themselves or to their neighbors. 



This argument, however, does not always hold good. Were 

 a man to plant the seed and then wait for the forest to mature, 

 even the most ardent forester would become impatient. Were 



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