About This Collection
The Commissioner of Forestry was the President and Executive Officer of the State Forest Commission and had immediate control over all activities on or relating to the State Forests. The Commissioner was also in charge of the protection of all forest land in the State from forest fire, fungi, inspects, and other enemies; the State Forest Academy; as well as encouraging and promoting the development of forestry and of obtaining and publishing in information respecting the extent and condition of forest lands in the State. This collection includes letter books that contain correspondence relative to general forestry issues, which contain name and address of the recipient, date composed, and text of the correspondence are present. The vast majority of the letters were sent from Commissioner of Forestry Joseph T. Rothrock to various individuals or county political entities, such as the Clarion County Commissioners. A number of the files deal with financial issues, including fire claims, land transactions, and supply requests. Other topics discuss the appointment of forest fire detectives, tree species identification, timber poachers, pro-forestry legislation, etc. This collection also includes Commissioner of Forestry records of correspondence sent. Information given is name and address of person to whom sent, date of correspondence, and text of the letter. Topics include planting of seedlings, land acquisition, conditions of campsites and trails, activities of the Chestnut Tree Blight Commission and fire risks.