pr^p ace. 



W" 



ITH the completion of the 

 ifth Annual Report, the 

 present Commission fin- 

 ishes its work and transfers its 

 duties to others. Though some- 

 what delayed, for reasons similar 

 to those recounted in the former 

 volume, the Commission feels that 

 this report, from the nature of the 

 subjects presented, will fully com- 

 pensate for the period of waiting. 

 Attention is called to the rich and 

 varied table of contents which, 

 besides recording the official work 

 of the Board in detail, provides, in 

 the reports of the heads of the 

 several departments, information 

 relating to the public domain in 

 the Adirondacks which is nowhere 

 else obtainable. The great value of 

 the lumber product of this forest is 

 especially shown, and the danger aris- 

 ing from forest fires fully exploited. 

 The financial statement shows to 

 what advantage each appropriation 

 was expended, and the concluding recommendations and suggestions indicate what, 

 in the opinion of the Commission, ought to be done in the future. 



In connection with those sections dealing with the great number and variety of 

 fish raised and distributed in the waters of the State, attention is called to the very- 

 valuable article on the Commercial Fisheries of the Great Lakes and Rivers, which 

 was specially prepared by Mr. John N. Cobb, of the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion. While the figures given with reference to the distribution of fish speak for 

 themselves, the extent and value of the work that is being done by the Commission 



THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE ENEMY. 



