FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 9 1 



waste areas of which there are many thousands of acres in the Preserve. It is no 

 answer to this proposition to say that these lands will reforest themselves naturally. 

 True, nature will do this work unaided. But will it reforest the ground with valu- 

 able merchantable timber? In forestry, as in farming, the work of nature must be 

 guided and assisted. 



If the Legislature will make the necessary provision, there should be an annual 

 appropriation for the care and maintenance of the Forest Preserve, and for the pro- 

 tection of the Adirondack and Catskill forests. This sum should provide for the 

 pay of the superintendent, assistant superintendent, and thirty-five rangers ; also for 

 a chief firewarden and a land clerk. 



These suggestions are based on a lifelong experience in forestry work, the last 

 fifteen years of which have been spent in the Adirondack and Catskill woods, where, 

 in addition to my other duties in connection with the Preserve, I have made a care- 

 ful, thoughtful study of this entire question. 



In conclusion, I want to thank your honorable Board for the opportunity 

 afforded me of making these suggestions. I trust that some of them, if not all, will 

 meet with your approval, and that the Legislature and Governor will provide the 

 necessary means for carrying them into effect. 



All of which is respectfully submitted, 



WILLIAM F. FOX, 



Superintendent State Forests. 



Aemorandam. 



As a tentative proposition I would name the following tracts or townships as 

 suitable areas to each of which a ranger should be assigned for patrol duty : 



Townships 1 and 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 8, 10 and 29, 11 and 13, 14 and 25, 15, 16, 21, 22 

 and 50, 26 and 27, 30, 31, 32, 40, 41, 42 and 5, 43, 49 and W. R. Patent of the Totten 

 and Crossfield Purchase. 



Townships 11 and 12 of the Old Military Tract. 



Townships 18, 20 an'd 24, Macomb's Purchase. 



Benson Township, Arthurboro Patent, Nobleboro Patent, Lawrence Patent, 

 Oxbow Tract, Palmer's Purchase and Adgate Tract. 



Townships 9 and 10 (one district), Moose River Tract. W. F. F. 



