10 First Annual Report of the 



operations. It has on hand 11,000,000 trees for sale next spring. 

 A new nursery was established during the year ,at Saratoga and 

 plans are being put into effect for the establishment of another at 

 Great Meadows, Comstock. The Great Meadows nursery will be 

 one of the largest in the State and one of the most efficient in the 

 United States. 



The utilization of idle soil is one of the established prin- 

 ciples of conservation, inasmuch as it makes available for the use 

 of man the productivity of land too sterile, or for other reasons 

 not suitable for other than forest purposes. It is estimated that 

 in this State to-day five trees are cut down to every one planted. 

 At the present rate of increase of reforestation and in accordance 

 with the Commission's plans it is expected to reach the much to be 

 desired result of planting at least one tree for every one removed. 



The method of reforestation recommended by Governor Dix has 

 received approval of the people in all parts of the State. 



The use of prisoners in growing nursery stock for reforesta- 

 tion will greatly reduce the cost of the transplants, since labor is 

 the main item. The State should encourage by every means this 

 reforestation work and the policy of selling trees at cost should be 

 a very large inducement. The State should make no profit what- 

 ever on transactions of this character. 



The policy of the State in regard to its land in the Forest Pre- 

 serve should be to consolidate its holdings so that the work of pro- 

 tecting the forests and of reforesting the watersheds can be made 

 most effective and at the least expense. The summits of moun- 

 tains in the parks should be acquired so as to afford the greatest 

 protection to the watersheds in the conservation of water. 



The Conservation Commission regards the State Forest Pre- 

 serve as the people's great playground and health resort, for the 

 use of all and abuse of none. 



The prevalence and destructive effects of the chestnut blight 

 have received much attention during the summer. The disease has 

 virtually wiped out the valuable chestnut groves of New Jersey, 

 and, according to the Pennsylvania Chestnut Blight Commission 

 has caused $10,000,000 damage to the forests of that State. A 

 conference was held by this Commission with Commissioner of 

 Agriculture Pearson and representatives of Pennsylvania, New 



