Report of the State Forester.

ALFRED GASKILL.

The Division of Forestry and Parks has devoted its effort to the protection of forest interests within the State and to meeting war needs. All else has been subordinate.

War work has included advice and assistance in the location and development of ground for encampments and munitions plants; the protection of the same against forest fires; aid in the search for woods required in war industries of which the State has some supply, as ash for airplanes, walnut for gunstocks, oak for shipbuilding; provision for wood fuel to help out the coal shortage; and assistance in recruiting the 10th and 20th Engineer Regiments, made up of foresters and woodsmen, and now doing effective work in France. The protective service has included the maintenance of the forest fire organization at a high point of efficiency; the care of the State forests; and as much attention as could be given to private forest lands and to shade tree interests. Several members of the Division have gone into the army; their places have been filled by men who are not eligible for such service.

THE FORESTS OF NEW JERSEY.

It is necessary to repeat, and to emphasize, the statement so frequently made, that New Jersey has too much forest, measured by area, though far too little if measured by value. The effort of the Division is to have converted to agricultural, or other higher use, the land now in forests that is suitable for such purpose, and to give the remainder a greater value. New Jersey can well afford to clear three quarters of a million acres

of forest land; it would then have remaining the 25 per cent of its area in forests which is commonly held to be necessary for the welfare of a State.

This end can be secured chiefly through fire control. Our forests are naturally so vigorous, that, given a chance, they easily maintain themselves, not in ideal condition to be sure, but well enough until the people shall have recognized their true value, economic and social. Forest planting is unnecessary, except in a limited way where clearings have been unwisely made, or where the owner prefers to have forests rather than fields. It is important to contest the belief that worth-while forests can be secured only by planting. In this State nature usually will perform the task at far less cost. Chiefly for this reason the Department furnishes no young trees for forest planting, as is done in some States.

The forests of the State, however owned, have gained materially within the past ten years. Most of the improvement is due to fire control, and to the increased care that such security induces. Further gains will depend in large measure upon the maintenance, and the betterment, of the forest fire service.

ASSISTANCE TO WOODLOT OWNERS.

One of the chief efforts of the Division is to help forest owners make their properties productive. Assistance in forest management, in forest planting, in all that is involved in the care of a forest, is given without cost, except for traveling expenses, wherever it is requested. This service has been accepted by many persons this year and the result, especially in portions of North Jersey, is clearly seen in the many ordered forests, and in their increased productiveness. Present lumber prices offer no great encouragement toward the expenditure of money in forest improvement, but an owner who looks toward the future, especially one who considers the æsthetic value of a woodlot, finds that a satisfactory income from the outlay involved is easily calculable.