Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-13
FOREST PROTECTION WILL
INCREASE STATE REVENUE
Commissions Report Shows That from 100000 to szO,-
100000 Would Be Added to Ratables by Ending DIS
astrOus Fires-Rairoads Chief Offenders.

1911 OCGGo I'll NiO10tlRAs ~
mission has never been able TO get a
particles OF evidence to support the
cnarge often made that perry-plckers
are the woods purposely TO make bet
ter crops.
notwithstanding a disastrous rec
ora, Tue ares Oh lsv3 were lar less
serious nan tney would nave beer
without the present organlzation TO
cope with tneln. Every report, every
study OF a tre, be II large or small
strengthens the convictions tnat the
KEY TO the SITUATION is to get men
there quickly. a rev competent men
AZ n nre in It's carry stages are worth
more than any army after IL is wei
gong
The present area of State forest re-
serve is 1897 acres. Contracts navy
been made for h purchase OF 5'9si
acres, which, when acquired, Will make
the total IL, 1913 acres. The area of eacn
reserve is as follows: Edward Z. Stokes
reserve, 5,432 acres; Lebanon Reserve
2,4Ss acres; Bass river reserve, 1860
acres; Mays Landing Reserve, $40
acres; Mt. Laurel Reserve, ~ acres.
me COMMISSION calls a particular at
IcOlIDl dI THIS lIillS ~ NAAS 49,
ger tnat threatens trees from rnree
species of insects. Inc nrst OF tnese
is a fungus IKE the cnestnut bhgnt,
which is almost impossiple 10 controi'
with the Knowleoge OF the war lnat
New England is waglng on the EN- lear
beetle ana the brown tail n gypsy
moths, and the great cost of the work,
the commission warns h people or
New Jersey nat the state is iikely 10
suffer in the same way unless preven-
tive measures are undertaken at once.
The commission say II Will not 90 10
trust individuals or municipalities, the
danger being one With wnicn the State
alone a cope. An appropriation OIL
S5,UU a year, to be expended under
the direction of the stare entomolo-
gist or the Forest Commission, the re-
port says, will a guard
against the moths. For an effective
campaign against the elm leaf beetle
not less than $4,000 should be pro-
Vidcd.
The most serious III to the trees
of the State is from the chestnut
canker or blight" continues the report.
prom present indications every cnest-
nut tree in North Jersey, at least, IS
doomed. Fortunately the disease at
lacks chestnut trees only, but IN every
other respect the seriousness OF the
situation cdnnot be exaggerated. n
only hope that can be he'd put to own
ers OF chestnut trees is that the lie
of an especially valuaDl II may De
prolonged, though PROBABLY not saved,
by careful pruning.
For two years past the elm trees
in the northern part of the State, the
nnest shade trees we naye, nave been
seriously injured by the eld lead beetle,
the pest now so prevalent in New Eng
land. The State entomoiogist is OF the
opinion that there will be a larger
brood next year than there was THIS
and that many trees now greatly weak
ened will die unless active measures TO
| save them T taken t
The insect attacks elms only and
may be absolutely controlled by spray
ing the trees with arsenate of lead as
the leaves unfold in the spring, but be-
cause this is difficult for individuals
to do, especially when the trees are
large, and because, with a few notable
exceptions, the municipalities do not
consider it their business, the trees are
usually neglected. Every citizen Of the
State who lives where this pest is
found should work for a concerted at
tack upon it. The forest commission
and the State entomologist will aid in
every possible way"
Discussing the possibilities for for
estry work and the needs of the State
the commission says:
-Four years of activity have con-
WINGED the forest commission that the
forestry idea is not a sentiment but an
opportunity for practical work. If what
has been accomplished is of any value.
what remains to be done, what must be
done, is vital to the people of New Jer-
sey. We can have forests, and through
them can insure a wood supply, a bet
ter control of potable water sources and
the pleasures of the forests for q busy
people. To insure these things the most
imperative present needs are:
IAN amendment to the forest fire law
by which every woodland township
may be compelled to maintain an eff
cient fire service. This is reasonable
because the value OF such a service
has been proven and every taxpayer is
entitled to the protection that it affords
The cost is not a valid objection, for il
may be assumed that the State viii
continue to pay, as it now does, fully
two-thirds Of the total.
IA further provision in law by which
the poorer townships. usually those
having most forest, may pay less thar
they now do of the cost of the fire
service. To this end let the State re.
fund one-half the local cost, as it nov
does, when the bills in any year ar
less than five cents of the total ia,
levy. If they exceed that amount lie
the State pay three-fourths of the ex
| cess. This will relieve three or .foul
townships of a part of what may be
heavy burden, yet will add not more
than $500 a year to the States expen.
diture.
IAN appropriation of $4,000 for for
est fire service. This is but little NOR
than half a cent for each acre of wood
land, yet it will permit the strength
ening of the service and pay prompt!
all fire bills that are likely to be in
CURED. Is 100000 a year too much t
add to the $4,000 or $4,000 that thu
townships may spend. if by spending
it ten. twenty or thirty times tina
amount can be saved to property
owners?
IAN appropriation OF 5000. instea'
of $4,000. for forest and shade ire
work. This will provide for the prope
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