l68 FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



reforest a thousand acres of waste land annually, protect all of the forests, 

 fish and game of the State, and increase the acreage of our Forest Preserve 

 not less than 100,000 acres per annum. Hence a proper utilization of these 

 resources would not only be beneficial to the present area of State forests, 

 but would reduce the demand upon other forest land, thus protecting the 

 forests of the State. 



The sale of wood and timber in the Forest Preserve, under proper restric- 

 tions, would be of great assistance in protecting the forests. In many 

 localities, e. g., Raquette Lake, Long Lake village and Saranac Lake village 

 the State owns nearly all the forest land, thereby making fire wood and 

 lumber scarce and high priced. The residents find it difficult to secure the 

 necessary wood material and trespasses result. 



One of the great benefits of our Forest Preserve is derived from the use 

 of these forests for recreation, hunting, camping, fishing and health. These 

 purposes could be served better if it were possible to lease camp sites for a 

 period of years. Such an arrangement would develop a new source of 

 revenue on a permanent basis and decidedly increase the utilization of the 

 great benefits that can be derived from the woods. It would also produce a 

 large annual revenue and leave many times the required space for camping 

 for parties who did not desire to pay for the privilege. 



During the past year we have been giving the subject of conservation 

 of our natural resources much thought. It has engaged the attention of 

 our best statesmen and business men. A commission was appointed and 

 they have made a census of our resources, and secured reliable data as to 

 the consumption of these materials. They have found that the wisest 

 possible use of our natural resources is required, as well as strict economy, 

 or the time will not be far distant when this great nation will be suffering 

 for their wants. This requires that our forests shall be handled under 

 forest management and made to yield the highest possible production of 

 wood crops ; that all ripe timber shall be utilized ; and that land not needed 

 for other purposes shall be growing timber. A tree cannot be grown in a 

 decade or the forests placed under proper system at once, which necessitates 

 that these requirements be promptly considered. 



There are natural resources other than forests, and some of them can 

 never be replaced. Our coal fields are being rapidly consumed, and in 



