FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. l6q 



order to conserve them substitutes must be used. There are going to waste 

 in our Forest Preserve enormous water powers which should be utilized, and 

 their use would greatly conserve our coal supply. However, such steps 

 cannot be taken because sufficient dams to store the water and produce the 

 necessary fall would flood some State land. The actual results are amply 

 set forth in the annual report of the State Water Supply Commission. 



The proper use of our great Forest Preserve is a matter of vital impor- 

 tance and its wise use is a public benefit. The restrictions imposed by the 

 present Constitution do not seem to secure the greatest benefits. There 

 rests upon the people of this State, on account of the importance of these 

 matters, a great responsibility, — a responsibility which cannot be shirked. 



Investigations 



We have already referred, in this report, to the utilization of unused 

 land by growing forest crops. Such crops are of various kinds and adapted 

 to different soils. In order to assist landowners in this State who are 

 interested in producing wood crops which could be harvested at a profit in 

 a short time an investigation of osier culture was made. The growing of 

 osiers for the basket willow industry is not new in this State and has been 

 carried on extensively at several places. According to the census of 1900 

 there were in this State 366 acres devoted to growing willows; the value of 

 the raw product for that year was $22,585; while $69,000 worth was con- 

 sumed within the State ; and the manufactured product was worth $228,096. 



The State of New York in 1907 led the other States of the Union in the 

 production of willows and our farmers are making money from this culture. 

 There is, however, much information that should be gathered and the result 

 carefully studied. In order to make a success of the work it is necessary 

 to produce a good grade of rod, which can be accomplished by using the 

 proper method. To extend and improve the industry an investigation has 

 been made. This work was done by the late E. Seymour Woodruff, a 

 forester of this Department, whose sudden death has prevented the prepara- 

 tion of a report at present. 



Mr. Woodruff also made a study of the wood distillation industry in the 

 Catskills, but this report also has been delayed by his untimely death. 



