28 THIRTEENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 



few if any fish. When the great value of the fish annually consumed by 

 the people of the State is considered, to wit, not less than $44,000,000 

 worth, it is readily seen how important this branch of the service is. Without 

 a reasonable amount of forest area we could not hope to have much water 

 and that would not be of the right temperature to sustain fish life. Without 

 forests we would have no home for the game birds or animals, or breeding 

 places for either. Without forests, which are equalizers of temperature, 

 our State would be less desirable as a place of residence and much less 

 beautiful to look upon and to enjoy. Without forests and a reasonably 

 constant supply of water in the lakes, ponds, and streams the agricultural 

 lands of the State would be more or less injured. This is illustrated by the 

 arid lands of the West. They are not productive — they are practically 

 worthless. With water poured over them and trees planted, those arid 

 lands would become the most valuable producing lands of the country. A 

 country without trees is, in a sense like a house without a roof — unin- 

 habitable. The history of China, Italy, France and other countries in this 

 respect very clearly points out the necessity for the preservation of the 

 forests and the conservation of the water supply of the State. The results 

 obtained during the last fiscal year have been very encouraging. The good 

 will of all the people of the State in supporting and enforcing the laws in 

 relation to forests, fish and game has been shown by their active co-operation 

 and a general, healthy public sentiment which seems to have grown rapidly 

 all over the State in this respect. 



The Legislature has come to the aid of the Department in all particulars 

 at all times and we feel that it fully appreciates the importance of the whole 

 subject. We sincerely trust that its aid and support will be given as hereto- 

 fore to the end that the best results may be obtained in this very important 

 work. 



All of which, with the reports of the various heads of Departments 

 which are hereto attached, is respectfully submitted. 



James S. Whipple, 

 Forest, Fish and Game Commissioner. 



