14 PREFACE. 



and therefore the correct figures of birds and fishes in colors have been continued, and 

 special articles have been written concerning some of them by those who are acknowl- 

 edged authorities in their particular field. The work of the Commission is largely 

 devoted to the propagation of what are commonly called commercial fishes, although 

 all fish cultivated are food fishes. But, there is no special appropriation made by the 

 State to gather statistics relating to the commercial fisheries, nor is such an appro- 

 priation necessary, for the Federal Commission has a staff of field agents carefully 

 gathering such statistics in all the States, and they are always available through the 

 courtesy of the United States Fish Commission. In previous reports we have given 

 the figures of the shad catch in the Hudson as collected by our own agents, and the 

 statistics of the commercial fisheries in interior State waters, and now present Mr. John 

 N. Cobb's paper in regard to so much of the Lake Ontario fisheries as relate to 

 countries bordering on the lake. While the report and appendices have been in press, 

 section 249 of the Fisheries, Game and Forest Law has been repealed, as we urged 

 most vigorously in our preliminary report to the Legislature. 



Especial pains have been taken in this report, as in previous ones, to publish correct 

 statistics as to the annual product of the Adirondack forests, such information being 

 necessary in determining the forest policy of the State. In connection with this 

 matter the Commission desires to acknowledge the courteous co-operation of the 

 various business firms and individuals engaged in the manufacture of lumber and 

 woodpulp, who, without an exception, furnished from their books the figures for the 

 amount of timber consumed during the past year. The important relation of these 

 statistics to forestry matters in our State must be apparent to every reader. Great 

 care was also taken in securing a detailed report of each forest fire. The firewardens 

 evinced a commendable readiness in forwarding their statements ; but there seemed 

 to be a general tendency on their part to exaggerate both the acreage and the damage, 

 an excusable error due to a zealous interest in their work rather than carelessness. 



The Commission desires to acknowledge with thanks the valuable and interesting 

 contribution from Mr. George W. Rafter, C. E., a recognized authority on the subject 

 of forest reservoirs and their relation to our industrial interests. 



A valuable and timely article on the protection of shade trees from destructive 

 insects was prepared for this report by Professor Ephraim P. Felt, the State Ento- 

 mologist ; but it is held over for publication in our next report in order to better 

 prepare the illustrations which are to accompany it. 



Our thanks are due to the Century Publishing" Company for cut of snipe family, by 

 Beard, and we desire to acknowledge the courtesy of the United States Fish Com- 

 mission and of the railroads of the State for continued favors. 



THE COMMISSIONERS. 



