FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 327 



altitude where these trees were growing was much less than that of the average 

 plateau, which would account also for some red oaks that may be seen there. 



With the increased facilities for transportation afforded by the recently con- 

 structed railroads the cutting of the broad-leaved trees will increase. Plans are 

 already under consideration for the erection of stave mills and acid factories. The 

 latter use hardwood of all kinds and sizes, which, following the operations of the 

 lumbermen and pulpwood choppers, results in a complete denudation of the land. 

 This, again, would not be so hopelessly bad if some provision were made for 

 reforesting the land ; but there is nothing to indicate that any work of this kind will 

 be attempted on private holdings. 



So long as the operations of the log jobbers were confined to the removal of one 

 or two species the protective character of the forest was not seriously impaired. But 

 with the advent of these other industries, requiring more or all of the species growing 

 there, it is evident that large areas of standing timber are threatened with extinction. 

 It becomes more imperative each year that the State shall acquire the territory in 

 order to prevent such results, and also to inaugurate some conservative forest policy 

 whereby it can supply the people with this much-needed product without ruining the 

 source of the supply. To accomplish this the State must first acquire the lands by 

 purchasing them as fast as they are offered for sale ; and this can be done gradually 

 without interfering with industries already established. But money will be required 

 to do it, and in large amounts. The Legislature will always vote the necessary 

 appropriations whenever it is clear that its constituency demands it. While it is 

 evident that the people of the State are heartily in favor of forest preservation and a 

 further enlargement of the public preserve, there is need of a more outspoken 

 sentiment on this subject, coupled with a plainly voiced demand for the necessary 

 legislation. 



