FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 227 



Point reservation. Various other diseases are to be found, but the two 

 above are by far the most serious. 



Insects. Elms are somewhat bothered by the beetles and some of the 

 black oak seems infested with leaf-eating insects, but in neither case is 

 the damage appreciable. 



In spite of the numbers of black locusts found on the hillsides and along 

 the road, the locust borer seems to be practically absent. 



CONCLUSIONS 



Concerning the possibilities of this proposition, its advantages seem 

 to be as follows: 



1. About 85 per cent, of this area is true forest soil and will probably 

 never be used for anything but the raising of timber or for country estates. 



2. Transportation facilities and the proximity to cities should make 

 complete utilization and good financial returns possible. 



3. Present assessed values and the tax rate make rotations of fair 

 length possible. 



4. The natural beauty and the historical associations of this region 

 make it a center of considerable interest to travelers, and an example of 

 forestry in this region would thus have a stimulating effect educationally. 



The chief advantage is as follows: 



The State, owning no land, is practically a " tenant by courtesy," and 

 if the local people should decide later that State regulation was not desirable, 

 support might be withdrawn. 



Appendix 



Statement of Commissioner Whipple 



At the meeting at Highland Falls, September ioth, Commissioner 

 Whipple issued the following statement : 



1. The Commission is willing and eager to carry out the purposes of 

 the law, chapter 463, Laws of 1909, as far as it can do so, in justice to the 



