Conservation Commission 165 



wood trees. The lumbering has tended to decrease the volume 

 of softwood, but on the other hand, many of the larger hardwoods 

 are very defective. 



These figures include only merchantable saw timber and pulp- 

 wood. No attempt has been made to estimate material in small 

 trees that might be available for cordwood, poles, post, ties, etc. 



The tables contain a vast amount of interesting information 

 and deserve careful perusal. 



CAMP SITES 



The constitutional restrictions do not prohibit the great forest 

 region from being used as a playground, a place for recreation 

 and health resort, but do restrict its use for other purposes. The 

 use of these lands for this purpose is extensive. The prohibitions 

 tend to temporary use and discourage fuller enjoyment and greatest 

 benefit. This is a matter of such importance that it deserves 

 particular attention. 



Extent. — Table XXI shows there are 1,075 miles of waterfront- 

 age in the Forts Preserve exclusive of Lake George islands ; that 

 584 miles of this shorage is suited for camp sites. If the entire 

 frontage were divided into camp sites with 200 feet frontage, there 

 would be 11,600 available sites. The State should not lease more 

 than a portion of them, and if one-half were left as public camping 

 places there would still be 5,800 for other purposes. If we com- 

 pare the vast frontage upon these lakes and ponds with well known 

 bodies of water we will find that it is equivalent to three and one- 

 half times the entire shore line of Lake Champlain in this State ; 

 or seven times the frontage of Lake George exclusive of islands ; 

 or the shore line of Lake Ontario from Fort Niagara to Cape 

 Vincent; or both sides of the Hudson river from its mouth to its 

 source. It is, therefore, at once apparent that there are sufficient 

 sites for both the transient and a permanent occupant, also for 

 those who can and those who can not afford to pay a rental. 



