70 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



abroad. We should grow our own trees. Our work in producing seedling 

 trees in soils adapted to that purpose and in transplanting the same in the 

 forests, has passed far beyond the experimental stage, and has proven how 

 well the work may be done. This being so, we ought to enter into the 

 business on a large scale, properly equipped to do that which in all common 

 sense it seems ought to be done immediately. It has undoubtedly been 

 wise, up to the present time, to make small appropriations, to go slowly, to 

 be sure that we were on the right track and capable of doing this work. 

 Now that we know that it can be done and profitably done and the necessity 

 being so great, we believe that large appropriations should be made, because, 

 viewed from any standpoint, this work ought not to be and cannot be 

 delayed. A building may be put up this year or next; a road may be 

 constructed this year, a canal may be dug to-day, to-morrow or a year from 

 now, and in either event no great loss would be entailed. Planting trees 

 to-day means doing that which will result in benefit, first, and in a small 

 way, ten years from now; in a greater degree twenty years from now, and 

 finally fifty to eighty years from now, when a matured forest will have been 

 grown. Long before any considerable amount of commercial forest can 

 be produced which may be cut at a profit, undoubtedly every stick of the 

 commercial trees now of medium or matured growth will have been cut 

 and used and a shortage in a necessary supply of lumber for daily 

 use in this State will ensue. For these reasons immediate action is 

 necessary. 



State Game Bird Farm. 



This is a new departure. It was not taken without knowledge of 

 successful work of its kind by many individuals and especially by the State 

 of Illinois. Owing to a bad season two years ago and the increased number 

 of hunters throughout the State, the bird covers have been much depleted. 

 From this fact and the further fact that under the hunting license law the 

 hunters have, by license fees, largely increased the revenues of the Depart- 

 ment, it was deemed just and desirable that an effort should be made to 

 restock game covers with game birds. An appropriation of $12,000 was 

 made for that purpose, a farm selected in Chenango county, and purchased, 

 experienced men employed, the farm fenced, equipped with cross fencing, 



