Conservation Commission. 97 



At Dannemora prison there is a large amount of forest land, 

 some of which was burned over by the fires of 1908 and a large 

 amount of timber killed. Plans have been made for the removal 

 of the fire killed timber, which will yield the State a net revenue 

 of approximately twenty-five thousand dollars and greatly improve 

 the forest conditions, as will the reforesting of a large area which 

 was accomplished this spring. Various cases of trespass upon 

 the lands were discovered. The Superintendent of Prisons has 

 employed a forester to carry out our recommendations. Other 

 examples could be given. 



As a general proposition, the work on the State institutions' 

 woodlands falls under three heads: 

 1st. Cutting to improve the stand, or clean up former wastes 



and slashes and provide the necessary wood crop. 

 2nd. Reforesting either existing woodlands to improve the con- 

 ditions, or bare unproductive areas, as a source of supply 

 for some special industry. 

 3rd. Protection against fire, disease, insects and other attacks. 



Forestry experiments are also being conducted at these places 

 and a study is being made of the possibility of forestry as a factor 

 in the employment and training of inmates where there is an 

 opportunity. 



TREE DISEASES. 



The position of Forest Pathologist was created by the new law 

 alreadv referred to and several investigations have been con- 

 ducted in relation to important fungus diseases which are of 

 economic importance in this State. 



White Pine Blister Rust. 



The imported white pine blister rust has required attention' 

 in that all of the plantations made with this stock in the State 

 have been inspected in order to make certain that the disease is 

 not becoming established. The Forest Pathologist has also co- 

 operated with the Department of Agriculture and rendered them 

 assistance in connection with the control of the alternate stage- of 

 this rust which lives on leaves of the currants and gooseberries. 

 The importance of the white pine as a tree requires that sufficient 

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