34 FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



by the annual tax levied on leased grounds as soon as the law becomes 

 operative. All the facts will be found in Superintendent Wood's report 

 hereto attached. 



Elk, Beaver and Deer 



The elk and beaver put into the preserve are rapidly multiplying, and 

 adding greatly to the pleasure and interest of summer visitors. In time, 

 if they are protected and let alone, they will increase in such quantities that 

 they may be seen at almost any time and place. 



The deer, under the present law, will multiply fast enough to furnish 

 good hunting for all, and any one, not necessarily a hunter, may take in the 

 open season, in a proper manner, the number permitted by law. 



State Forests 



The following table will show the number of acres of land owned by 

 the State on December 31, 1908 — that which has been purchased but not 

 yet conveyed to the State. 



Forest Preserve 



January 1, 1908 



Adirondack Preserve 1 , 438 , 999 



Catskill Preserve 109, 451 



— 1,548,450 



Purchases, conveyed 1908 



Adirondack Preserve 61, 627 



Catskill Preserve 1 , 740 



63,367 



Total acreage conveyed to the State 1 ,611 ,817 



Area, January 1, 1909 



Adirondack Preserve (December 31, 1908) 1 , 500,626 



Catskill Preserve (December 31,1 908) 111,191 



Present area 1,611,817 



