FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 21 7 



Third. In most operations some wood is saved that would otherwise 

 go to waste. In some cases it has far more than paid for the cost of the 

 work. 



Fourth. The labor of guttering and skidding is lessened to some 

 extent. 



Fifth. It is to be noted that hardwood tops decay much faster than 

 softwoods, also that the closer the utilization of timber the shorter the 

 time required for the debris to disappear. Thus, in the case of hardwood 

 operations for acid or cordwood, the debris left is of such small size and 

 gets down so close to the ground that special fire danger is pretty well 

 over in three or four years. 



The results of one year's operation under the present law are such 

 that it certainly should be retained. 



Respectfully yours, 



John W. Stephen, 



Forester. 

 Salamanca, N. Y., December 20, 1909. 



Report on the Highlands of the Hudson Forest 



Reservation 



By F. F. Moon, Forester in charge 

 Foreword 



The act creating the Highlands of the Hudson Forest Reservation 

 was passed May 22, 1909, at the request of residents of the Highlands who 

 were desirous of seeing the beauty of this region preserved and forestry 

 methods put into practice locally. 



During July and August a forester of the Commission made a four 

 weeks' study of local conditions and submitted the report published here- 

 with. 



On September 10th Commissioner Whipple and Mr. Cary, superin- 

 tendent of forests, held a conference with local land owners at Highland 



