xvi. 



AUTHOR PREFACE. 



greatly to tlie present imperfect knowledge of the occurrence and 

 distribution of various forms of plant life. 



The recommendations given at the end of the volume are 

 purposely made brief to emphasize the importance of taking de- 

 finite advanced steps ; and it is earnestly desired that such meas- 

 ures as will meet present urgent demands may be adopted with- 

 out undue delay. 



The information given herein relative to conditions in West 

 Virginia was largely obtained in the field during the summer, 

 fall, and winter of 1910. The difficulty experienced ia gathering 

 accurate data over so wide a field was very great ; and time would 

 not permit the verification of considerable second-hand informa- 

 tion. For this reason, in justice to himself, the writer must dis- 

 claim responsibility in part for slight errors which doubtless 

 occur in several instances. 



Numerous persons have freely assisted in the preparation of 

 this report. 



Lumbermen, timber cruisers, surveyors, and many others, 

 contributed information regarding the location and character of 

 timber-lands, the condition of original forests, history of the lum- 

 ber industry, etc. ^ The names of many of these are given in the 

 body of the volume. 



The illustrations herein are reproduced from photographs 

 made by Fred E. Brooks, Associate Entomologist of the West 

 Virginia Experiment Station, except such as are otherwise 

 credited. 



That part of Chapter Four which relates to fungi was read 

 by Dr. John L. Sheldon, Professor of Botany and Bacteriology 

 at the West Virginia University, and his private collection was 

 used in preparing the list of destructive fungi. 



During the collection and preparation of data for this re- 

 port frequent and valuable suggestions were furnished by Dr. I. 

 C. White, State Geologist. 



The writer takes pleasure in acknowledging his indebtedness 

 to all who have aided him in any way in the preparation of this 

 volume. 



A. B. BROOKS, 



Forester. 



i\Iorgantown, West Virginia, February 1, 1911. 



