The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-03-31

Government Announces plans For
Buying Eastern Forest Land.

Government Announces Plans For
Buying Eastern Forest Land.
Washington. March a8.-The Depart.
ment Of Agriculture ANNOUNCES. through
a circular which Is just coming from the
press. that 1t il ready to begin operations
looking 10 the purchase Of land by the
National Forest Reservation Commission
created under The Weeks Law.
This law was passed with special ref
erence to the creation Of Nationsl
Forests in the Appalachian and White
Mountains. Under il the Secretary Of
Agriculture is to examine, locate, and
recommend to the Commission for pur-
chase such lands as in his Judgment
may be necessary for regulating the flow
of navigable streams. The circular which
is now being printed is intended to give
information to the public as to where and
what kinds Of land are wanted. Owners
Of land the purchase Of which will be
considered by the Government are ex.
pected on the basis of this information to
make known to the Forest Service, which
will conduct the work for the Department
of Agriculture, their desire 10 sell.
Copies Of the circulars may be obtained
by applying to the Forest Service.
The law is not restricted to particular
regions. except that lands may be bought
only ID the States whose legislatures
have consented to the acquisition of land
by the United States for the purpose of
preserving the navigability of streams.
The States which have already taken the
necessary action are Maine. New Hamp-
shire. Maryland. Virginia, West Virginia,
North Carolina, Tennesss. South Carolina,
and Georgia.
A blank form for The offer of land
accompanies the circular. Additional
copies Of this blank form NAV be had by
writing the Forest Service at Washington.
The kinds of land which will be consider
ed for purchase. if they lie within the
designated areas. are set forth by the
circular as follows:
Timbered lands may be bought either
with the timber sanding on them or
with reservation by the owner of the
right to cut the timber under certain rnles
to provide FIR perpetuatiou Of the forest.
These rules will from part of the agree
ment for the purchase of the land
Since, however. the Government can not
pay high prices, 1t is not regarded as
probable that much land bearing heavy
stand of merchantable timber can be
bought. Culled and cut-over lands may
be bought, as we'll as land covered with
bush which is useful for watershed protec-
ton. burned land. and abandoned farm
land. whether cleared or partially or
wholly covered BY young timber growth,
Good agricultural lands will not be con-
sidered. Owners may reserve the right
to remove valuable mineral deposits
which are known to exist.
Proposals will be received for small as
well as for large tracts. With regard to
the price which can be paid. Secretary
Wilson indicates that the policy Of the
Commission will be 10 make the money
available 60 as far as possible. For the
most part" be says, I'VE shall have TO
buy cut-over lands or lands without much
understandable timber, Proffers Of land
ct exorbitant prices will not be considered.
THE lands acquired by the Government
will be held as National Forests. They
will be protected from FIRE and the growth
Of the timber will be improved as much
as possible
In Maryland the area within which
offers Of land are desired is portion of
The western part of Garrett county