The Penn's Grove record., 1912-07-05
Forest Co mmission of New Jersey

The report of the New Jersey Forest
Commission for 1911 is being distributed.
This SHOWS that the chief effort of the
Commission is to give value to the forests
through fire control. The State owns
and can own no important part of the
forests within her borders, but by en-
c%ouraging and helping those who do own
them a better order will be established.
In New Jersey most forest fires occur in
the spring, and the spring of 1911 was so
exceptionally dry that the fire hazard
was greatly increased. Nevertheless, the
fire service which has been developed.
during six years succeeded i'll lesseuing
the number of fires by IL per cent, and
i'll reducing the total damage by 81 pek
cent over what was suffered the previous
year. In neighbOring states under simil-
lar conditions the fire loss was from two
to five times as great as that of the pre-
ceding season. The report points out
that most OF the railroads are doing their
utmost to prevent fires. Their employees
and the fire W6rdens succeeded 80 well in
meeting the situation that of 200 fires
started only IL burned as much as ten
acres. A strong indication OF the rail-
roads interest is found in the statement
that they have built 235 miles of fire
lines, practically voluntarily, and at their
wi cost. OF the "a fires due to brush
burning some were serious, though what
might have happened is suggested by the
showing that upwards of 24OO brush burn
ing permits were issued.
The vigor with which the law has been
enforced is shown in the statement that
III 256 cases some one was held account
able for a fire. In 40 instances a rail
road paid the bill. In 40 instances an in
dividual paid a fine or was otherwise
penalized. The balance are still pend
ing. The sum OF the penalties collected
amounts to $2,02l, of which 81, 346 came
from the railroads and 1875 from indivi-
duals. 1t is doubtful if this record can
be matched in all the rest of the United
States put together. The organization by
which these results we're accomplished
consists of five State fire wardens and PAP
local wardens.
New Jersey can have forests without
much planting once the fires are brought
under subsection. With about l ,OOO
acres of forest reserves the purchase of
more has been interrupted 80 that all the
money available can be devoted to pro-
tecting all the forests, no matter who
owns them. The Commission is assisting
woodland owners to cut and dispose of
mature timber, to clean up and put in
productive condition woodlands that
have been abused, to plant where that is
necessary, and otherwise to put the for
ests OIL 9 productive basis. 1t also con-
siders the needs of municipalities in re-
spect to shade trees. Many communities
now have Shade Tree Commissions, and
until each is able to employ an arboris of
its own the State foresters will furnish
technical advice.
The chestnut blight is reported to have
obtained so complete a foothold in the
State That no chestnut trees except those
in Salem and Cape May counties have
more thai a remote chance of life. Own
ers whose trees are attacked are advised
to convert them into lumber without de-
lay, and to fill their places by planting
evergreens.
a special warning is given against tree
fakirs; men who go about Offering to cure
a tree of any i'll from which it suffers, or
to prune trees whether they need it or
not. Tree owners are advised to consult
some reputable authority before employ
ing these men.