REPORT OF THE FORESTRY BUREAU 



Hon. James J. Fox, Deputy Commissioner, Conservation Com- 

 mission, Albany,. N. Y.: 



Sir. — I transmit herein a report of the affairs of the Forestry 

 Bureau for the year 1914. Our activities fall into several natural 

 but separate lines, each of which will be separately treated. 



THE FOREST PRESERVE 



This great area aggregating more than one and three-fourths 

 million acres is maintained as a protective and pleasure forest. 

 As has often been stated, the provisions of the constitution pro- 

 hibit any direct use of this vast property. Our efforts in connec- 

 tion with its administration are of a protective nature. We have 

 given diligent attention to prevent trespass and have greatly re- 

 duced the damage from this source. Surveys have relocated many 

 miles of the property lines. The rangers have made an excellent 

 showing in protecting this area from fire. We have also been en- 

 gaged in making an estimate of the resource of this domain. 



Trespass 

 It is a pleasure to note that, although the entire Preserve has 

 been carefully patrolled, there have been but few and small tres- 

 passes discovered. We have reached a degree of protection never 

 before attained. A compilation of the trespass reports received at 

 this office shows that the total value of material cut upon the 

 Forest Preserve during the year was but $157.42. This is an 

 encouraging mark of progress when we note than only a few years 

 ago the value of timber taken aggregated tens of thousands of dol- 

 lars per annum. There may be a few cases which will yet be 

 discovered to have occurred during the year but they will be few 

 and small. It is certain that trespasses as such have ceased. 



T691 



