■34 FORESTRY BULLETIN 



4ations uijon the public domain and for employing the inhabitants of the 

 vicinity in suppressing forest fires. If the public lands are defenseless 

 that condition arises rather from lack of enforcement of the law than 

 from want of legislation. What is wanted in the communities surround- 

 ing the public lands is a public spirit which will convict offenders when 

 found guilty, and will aid in the prevention of crimes, against the public 

 by making such offenders unpopular and retribution certain. One would 

 hesitate long before recommending that the enforcement of the law be 

 placed in the hands of State agents rather than local officers were it not 

 that the experience of forestry management both in this State and else- 

 where had demonstrated the necessity of such a course. The difficulty of 

 enforcing a law for the protection of public property is too great to be 

 left in the hands of local officers who have every temptation to favor the 

 trespassers. 



In other states.— The Division of Forestry of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, has brought together in circulars No. 13 and 17, the 

 recent legislation on state forestry commissions and forest reserves. 



The legislature of the state of New York passed in 1897 an act to pro- 

 vide for the acquisition of land in the territory embraced in the Adiron- 

 dack Park and making an appropriation therefor. By the first section 

 of the act the Governor of the state was directed to appoint from the 

 ■Commissioners of Fisheries, Game and Forests, and the Commissioner of 

 the State Land. Office, three persons to constitute a board which is known 

 as the Forest Preserve Board, the members of which receive no compen- 

 sation except their actual and necessary expenses. The duties of the 

 board relate to the acquisition for the state by purchase or otherwise, 

 •of such of the lands and waters embraced in the Adirondack Park as it 

 may deem advisable for the interest of the state. The state is securing 

 title to a large body of land already covered with timber and located at 

 ■the head waters of its principal rivers. A portion of this land has been 

 lumbered, it is true, but it is still well covered with young and growing 

 timber. 



Beginning on page 1 of chapter No. 17 of the United States Division 

 of Forestry, there is the following epitome of the New York forestry law : 



"The original forest commission of the state of New York appointed 

 under the act of May 15, 1885, was superseded in 1895 by the Commission 

 •of Fisheries, Game and Forests, under the law of April 25, 1895. This 

 law is a comprehensive measure in which allied interests are brought un- 

 der the control of a single board. Under this law the commission con- 

 sists of five members, appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the 

 senate, the term of office being five years. The President, who is desig- 

 nated as such by the Governor, receives a salary of $5,000 per year and 

 traveling expenses, and devotes all of his time to the work of his office. 

 The remaining four commissioners receive $1,000 per year and traveling 

 expenses. The board holds at least four meetings on designated days 

 ■each year. It has a secretary at |2,000 per year, and neciessary clerical 

 force. The duties of the board are to propagate and distribute food-fish 

 and game; to enforce all laws for the protection of fish and game and for 

 the protection and preservation of the forest reserve. It has full control 

 of the Adirondack Park and forest reserve, and is authorized to make 

 rules for its care and safety. 



"The commission appoints thirty-five 'Fish and Game Protectors and 

 (Foresters' (hereafter called Foresters) one of whom to be known as chief, 



