So 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Such results as these have been attained very largely through 

 the activity of local societies and are the outcome of local pride 

 and intelligent appreciation. Prussia, however, has an official, duly 

 appointed by the Cultus Minister as State Commissioner for the 

 Preservation of Natural Memorials, and through his activity, 

 aided by the official forestry organization, much is possible which 

 would be more difficult here without such aid. The State of New 

 York may some time in the not too distant future have such an 

 agency to bring about these desirable ends, but even without it 

 much can be done now by local societies and zealous individual 

 <efifort. The State has seen its duty to acquire and preserve a 

 beautiful but expensive spot in Watkins glen ; it ought to see its 

 way to conserve that still more marvelous work of nature, the 

 Ausable chasm, but the preservation of the lesser objects should fall 

 to the proper pride of the localities where they are situated. 



No part of this large State is without such objects appealing to 

 the thoughtful citizen for protection — the rock bridge over the 

 Perch river near Watertown ; the unique burless chestnut near 

 Freehold ; the immense Arbor vitae on the outlet of Lake Col den ; 

 the extinct volcano near Schuylerville, once a redoubt during the 

 Champlain wars of the Revolution ; the Diamond Rock at Lansing- 

 burg with its beautiful Indian legend — each community knows best 

 its own natural monuments. 



We desire to bring these considerations to the notice of local 

 scientific and civic organizations. The members of such societies 

 are always open to appeals to civic pride ; many of them are lovers 

 and appreciative students of nature who must see with increasing 

 regret the gradual disappearance of, or injury to, such objects of 

 natural interest. 



It is respectfully requested that this circular be laid before your 

 society. It is hoped that its members may see the propriety of 

 appointing a standing committee to inquire into the possibility of 

 local protection. It is not too soon. The opportunity once gone, 

 it is forever too late. The damage once done can never be repaired. 

 Local loyalty based upon intelligent appreciation is a first essential 

 to success ; the next, sympathetic interest on the part of the legal 

 owner of such objects. With the first assured, the second is not 

 difficult to secure. It will not cost much to put a protecting fence 

 about a rare or venerable tree or authoritative notices of warning 

 about and within reservations of field and woodland, glen or swamp, 

 worthy of conservation for their natural interest. It is worth 

 while doing this; lovers of nature and the out of doors, students 

 of science everywhere, intelligent members of every community 

 in this and following generations will rejoice that you have done 

 these things. 



The Science Division of the Education Department desires to be 

 helpful in such undertakings as are here outlined. It seeks to encour- 

 age them and will do so with all the means at its disposal and all 

 the influence it 'possesses. It asks to be kept informed in regard 

 to efforts of this kind and the specific objects toward which they 



