New-York tribune., 1901-06-02
STATE FOREST RESER YES.
GOVERNOR VOORHEES, OF NEw-JERsEY
WILL RECOMMEND LEGISLATION.


system of State forest reserves will be the OBJ
ject of bill to be introduced in the New-Jersey
Legislature at the next session. Senator Edward
c. Stokes, of Cumberland County, who is one OF
the managers Of the State Geological Survey will
prepare the BILL and it is understood that Governor
Voorhees,, who is strongly in favor of State action
for the preservation OF the forests will recommend
legislation in his last annual message next Janu-
ary
In 1894 the legislature directed survey of the
forest lands of the State by the Geological Survey
TO ascertain the advantages as regards timber
supply, water supply scenery and climate, which
would accrue from the conservation OF existing
forests" by the establishment of a State forest
reservation. The field work begun by the
survey that year with an appropriation Of s5 n.o
Reports by experts made to the survey in the
reports or the four succeeding years and general
report, embracing all the subjects treated was
compiled for 1899 and printed last year The proof
sheets or the last annual report in the
hands of the printer. The subject has been well
covered but, as State Geologist Smock says the
reports are incomplete the range of inquiry being
so Wide that at the end of the work it is as If
were at the beginning Of studies OF forestry.
The general recommendations by the Survey, based
upon its Investigations. for forest and game
preserves in the Highlands ard Kittatinny noun
talns' and In the pines of Southern New-Jersey and
elsewhere. ali protected by system Of fire protec-
ton. The results Of Investigations In Holland.
x
amples Of successful forest treatment
Forty-siX per OF the New Jersey upland is in
FOREST the total area of woodland being 2Oe9 S19
acres or nearly equal 10 the 242473l acres of
cleared upland. This is more than the average of
forest area. Massachusetts, having 81 per cent OF
forest, New-lork "a, Connecticut 80 Pennsylvania
80 Delaware 30 and Maryland SO. The largest
areas are in South Jersey. Atlantic County has IS
per cent in forest; Ocean. 81 per cent: Cape May.
% per cent and Cumberland. g per cent The total
value Of the standing timber of the State is est-
mated at sh,25s,l90. Mr. Vermeule says that the
fuel consumption annually Will absorb the product
or 10000 acres. worth $4,000 on the stump and
&'4Oooc0 at the point OF consumption The steam
and trolley railroads $4,000 trees annually
worth 50 cents each, or s625co Together with logs
and bolts. fencing. etc. the total forest product
would be about 5000 900 annually.
The State Geological Survey has made careful in
Nestigations of the relation OF forestry TO water
supply, and viii have valuable data for the con-
sideration Of the next legislature. 1t shows the
great economic value Of forest streams for water
power and in the smaller storage reservoirs needed
for municipal water supply. In the matter OF
collecting the supply the difference in would
amount to about $500 a square mile Both the
Passaic and Rartan watersheds exceed eight hun
dred square miles of catchment. For such an area
the estimated saving in catchment is $4,000. In
water power. at rental of S35 per horsepower per
annum. the saving would be si760O annually. The
effect Of forests upon soils is shown in a geo
The Recommendations that the legislature will
consider as to a forestry policy for the State
conservative. State ownership OF forest lands IS
not Favored, except for pleasure parks. the
necessity for preserving striking natural
features. The first essential is fire protection.
About 90 per cent of the fires caused by loco
motive sparks Railroad companies should be re-
quireG 10 construct lanes along their tracks, and
use spark arresters on their engines. Townships
should be compelled TO construct similar lanes
along all public roads. Fair taxation OF forest
lands TO encourage forest culture is recommended.
As for the plan OF forest reserve. the
mendations OF the State Geological Survey for
natural parks in the vicinity Of cities forest
tinny mountains and the Pines of South Jersey.
ervations plan be adopted by the legis-
lature; the surplus wood be and sold under
State supervision tho product going pay the
pense Of maintenance and to compensate the pri-
Eate owners. Where IL may be deemed good pol
Icy large tracts be acquired in fee for natural
parks for the people. The proposed policy will be
greatly aided by the present tendency the c.
quirement OF forests and lakes in Northern New
Jersey for purposes Of pleasure and recreation by
private individuals and associations. Many thou
sands Of acres have thus been acquired and the
owners have the object TO preserve the forest
growth. So general is this tendency that
was passed at the last session of the legislature
giving 10 county the right TO acquire in fee land
adjoining lakes exceeding one hundred acres IN
der to preserve the fishing privileges from private
monopoly. This act may be amplified to enable
counties like Sussex. Warren and Morris TO
qutre forests for county reservations, with view
10 future public parks.