New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-19
STATE LAND SURVEY REPORT.
SUPERINTENDENT COLyIN MAKES sUGGEs-
TONS AS TO PRESERVATION
OF FORESTS

Albany. March 1s.-Superin.endent Verplanck
Colvin OF the State Land Survey will Monday
submit TO the State Legislature his annual report.
In It he will say:
The surveys made have been accomplished in
Indictment seasons which has ever been ex-
perienced during our field work. The results OBJ
talned are most creditaDe TO the faithful officers
and men OF this department who have made such
permanent and thorough surveys that II Is not
probable that surveys will ever have to be made
In these sections again
In establishing the great forest preserves OF
New-York. the Legislature OF our State has en-
tered upon task which appears to be unpara Iaed
In Us grandness and magnificence. was the
first 10 suggest the Adirondack park but ntither
In my reports nor in the original recommendations
Of the first Adirondack Park Commission were
the vast purchases Of lands contemplated which
have since added to the public domain In the
mountain districts Of this State.
At the time when first recommended the p~eser-
walton Of the Adirondack forests as q timber pre-
serve the State dsposing Of this property
then covered with the most beautiful ana un-
touched forest trecs-and receiving In return only
few shillings acre for many Of the most valu-
As late as 1882 the State parted with some OF the
finest portions OF the shore line OF kacquette Lake
ceivng in return only 81 acre for lots fronting
upon one OF the most beautiful lakes in the fCresi
At the present time the State Is buying back
much OF the land In other sections-less valuable
twice the price received for those choice sites
The reports Of the condition OF the forests
throughout the United States and Canada have
indicated that the State Of NewYork did not begin
2 moment too early TO preserve It's great foresH
for we have here a reservation which Will be prac
tically mine OF wealth. superior TO the iron ana
minerals which have heretofore been considered
Of greater Importance The time Is not far distant
when the State OF New York will control the lufn-
her supply not only for its home consumption. but
for great markets in other states. when TINS uine
comes il will behoOve the Legislature and the PEG
pie to use the most watchfu care In the protection
OF these great forest heritages.
1t will take many years Of work by peculiar men
I'm peculiar ways TO organize skiltul system OF
forestry In this State particularly II II Is 10 10
administered under political control-which must De
the case inasmuch as the appropriations for the
support of the work must pass the approval In
policy OF the party in power.
The history OF forest administration IN Otner
lands teaches that the most sklful forestry man
agement has been that which has clothed the par :
rem and denuded territories with new growth OF
valuable timber. Attention is respectfully called
10 the fact that all Of the border lands or barren
country forming a broad and frequently almost
deserted upland around the Adirondack park was
originally covered with grand forest trees ana
dense growths OF heavy timber which nave on!
too RAPIDLY disappeared before the axe ana fotest
fires No more useful valuable work can De
effected bv the State authorities than TO secure the
II may be estimated that there are million
acres OF these barren uplands around the exterior
Of the Adirondack park. J would not advise that
these lands be purchased. but | would Respectfully
suggest that IT, this State j. 10 have system OF
forestry the encouragement OF Individual eUorts
in the care Of timbered lands and In tree-plantlng
II fostered in these border lands between the park
and the settlements. would within generation 10
come develop a large class OF skilful fOresters. 10
whom the future care % the great forests or the
interior might be ntrusted.