218 Report of the Forest Commission. 



an investigation to ascertain the extent, character and location of the 

 wild lands in this state which are suited for permanent occupation by 

 forests rather than by agriculture, and shall report the results of such 

 investigation to the legislature, together with a statement of what part 

 or parts of such lands would be suitable for a state forest reserve, and 

 the advantages as regards the timber supply, water supply, scenery 

 and climate of the state, which would accrue from the conservation of 

 existing forests by the establishment of such reserve or otherwise; 

 the investigation so to be made shall determine the extent to 

 which forests of timber of, commercial value now exist in the state, 

 and include a study of the localities and areas which are specially 

 adapted to the growth of designated kinds of timber of commercial 

 value; it shall also include an examination as to the presence or 

 absence of forest cover upon the slopes and summits of the more 

 important watersheds of the state, and a study of the effect of such 

 conditions as now exists upon the maintenance of the streams therein 

 and the regulation of the freshet-flow thereof; the report to the legis- 

 lature shall state the arguments touching the beneficial effect upon 

 climate and rainfall attributable to the presence of forests, and shall 

 likewise present an outline of the policy and legislation of other states 

 and countries for the preservation of forests and their regulation for 

 public ends, so far as the same may be applicable to this state. 



2. And be it enacted, That the expense of making such investiga- 

 tion and report, shall, when duly audited by the board of managers 

 and approved by the governor and comptroller, be paid out of any 

 funds in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, and shall be limited 

 to five thousand dollars . 



3. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately. 

 [Approved May 1, 1894.] 



PENNSYLVANIA. 



In 1887 an act was passed for encouragement of forest culture, 

 and provided penalties for the injury and destruction of forests. 

 This was amended in session of 1891, and now stands thus on the 

 statute book : 



AN ACT for the encouragement of forest culture, and provided 

 penalties for the injury and destruction of forests. 



Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., That in consideration of the public 

 benefit to be derived from the planting and cultivation of forest or tim- 



