FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 1 93 



by him and based largely on New York experience, entitled " How to Grow 

 and Plant Conifers in the Northeastern States." We are fortunate in the 

 possession of perhaps the best scientific and practical tree grower in this 

 country. 



Outside this line, comparatively little has been done in New York 

 State in the way of co-operation, yet it is work which we should be extend- 

 ing and preparing for. There is quite as much to be gained in the intelli- 

 gent care and utilization of existing forests as in the starting of new ones, 

 and in this line, as indicated above, in other States public agencies have 

 led the way. In a State as large as New York, with its diversities of country 

 and of forest growth, several highly trained men would find ample employ- 

 ment for their time in work of this nature. It will, too, take men several 

 years to get thoroughly acquainted with the regions in which they are to 

 exercise this office, before they can do it in the most effective way. It 

 would be desirable, therefore, as soon as we can, to put additional men in 

 the way of that training. Meanwhile the foresters of this Commission will 

 be employed as far as possible in starting this line of work for the sake 

 of accomplishing what thev can; also for the sake of demonstrating its 

 utility. Owners of propsrty will be expected to pay the expense of men 

 engaged in this work. Forester Stephen of Salamanca is this winter engaged 

 in a lecture crusade among the granges of the western part of the State. 

 The work of Forester Moon in the Highlands is largely of that nature. 

 Mr. Pettis, in connection with the work of reforestation, finds occasion to 

 give a good deal of advice to property owners. All the members of the 

 force, in fact, are on call, as far as their regular duties permit, to lecture, 

 examine forest lands or give advice on the forestry principles that apply. 

 It is also designed to publish,, as soon as may be, a series of brief and popular 

 pamphlets on various topics appropriate to the character of the office. 



It would certainly be most desirable for the State, and in all probability 

 in the end very profitable to the men concerned, if one or more firms of 

 private foresters should be established. The State can only be expected 

 to introduce this class of work. It should not and cannot give operations 

 on private property the steady attention they often require, nor can it be 

 expected to handle the vast volume of business that could certainly in 

 time be developed. Firms of professional foresters and foresters in private 



