FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 2$ 



only a short time ago, and in no way does the use of the land pay an adequate 

 or reasonable return to the State. There seems to be no remedy for this 

 situation except by taxation. From necessity a shellfish department is 

 maintained by the State, which has charge and control of the lands, the 

 leasing of the same, and the enforcement of the law on and about the waters 

 of Long Island sound, adjacent bays, and the Hudson river. The cost of 

 maintaining the department is not unreasonable; in fact, it is small. Yet 

 the revenues from the State's property used for this business does not 

 support the department, whereas it should not only pay the cost of its 

 supervision, but should in addition yield to the State a large revenue. 



Some idea of the extent, importance and value of the shellfish 

 industry may be obtained by the mere statement of the fact that the total 

 yearly production, based upon such reports as are obtainable, has an indi- 

 cated value of $10,000,000; and the property of individuals used in the 

 business outside of the land on which oysters are propagated, amounts in 

 round numbers to $1,000,000. The total returns to the State, under the 

 present condition, amount onl}* to the nominal sum of about $2,000. This 

 condition, of course, should be remedied. 



v5tate Forests 



In the annual report to me of Col. William F. Fox, Superintendent of 

 State Forests, which forms part of this report, will be found a complete, 

 succinct and interesting history of the forest lands owned by the State, 

 their management, origin of title, the acreage, the work of reforesting, and 

 other important facts and figures. While the propagation and protection 

 of fish and game is important and worth much more to the State than it 

 costs, it is of small significance when compared with the value and import- 

 ance of the State forests. No one doubts the fact that forest timber, shade 

 and fruit trees are absolutely necessary to the proper enjoyment of this life; 

 that our water supply, to a large extent, depends upon the preservation and 

 reproduction of our forests; and that the latter prevent drought as well as 

 excessive floods. The commercial value of our forest lands is enormous; 

 their usefulness as a health resort is indispensable. For these, and many 

 other reasons, the money that is being used for the protection of the forests 

 is well expended, and the work that is being done is not too great. 



