Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-07-05
T0WNSHEND
Forest Tract Purchased by state In
Townshend.


Townshend.
On of the most progressive planks of
the state Republican platform was that
dealing with forestry, in which the par
ty pledged itself to favor the acquisition
by the state of forest tracts suitable
for nurseries and for demonstration of
the most approved forestry methods In
various parts of the state.' The last
general assembly, very largely through
the influence of Hon, Allen M. Fletcher
now the party's candidate for governor
made possible the extension of the state
forest policy. "A part of the money ap-
propriated for forestry by the legisla-
ture of 1910 has just been Invested In
the purchase of tract of forest land
in Townshend.
The state already owns such tracts
in two or three counties, and State For
ester Halves determined early this
spring that 1t would be very desirable
to have a state forest in Windham coun-
ty. The officers of the West River VAL
ley association were quick to see the
advantages that such a forest would
ultimately bring to the valley and 1t
was largely through the advice of Sec
rotary Rice of this association that the
state forester examined several avail
able tracts in the neighborhood of
Townshend
The tract finally selected by the state
forester, and approved by Hon. Charles
Green of the state board of agriculture
and forestry, consists of about $50 acres
on the west bank of the West river.
One of the principal reasons for its Sc
lection was its proximity to a prominent
village and the fact that it can be plain
ly seen from the railroad and highway,
while the fact that 1t is on the further
side of the river from the railroad makes
II fairly safe from forest fires.
The chief purposes of a state forest
are to demonstrate to the people of a
region the kinds of forestry work that
| are practical in private forests. For this
| it is desirable that the forest should
| contain several kinds of land. The Town
shend state forest admirably meets this
| requirement. Perhaps the largest por-
| ton of the area Is cut over forest land
| typical of thousands of acres of land
! throughout Vermont, which was former
| ly covered with valuable timber but is
now producing almost no income. 1t is
| of great Importance that such land be
made again productive. There Is also
some open land that was formerly farm
| ed, but which on account of the sandy
| character of the soil Is now idle This
is admirably adapted for planting with
pine. while some of the better land can
be devoted to the raising of such timber
| as spruce, Eastwood and ash. Still an
| OlHer pOrllOn is dlTeduy covered Win an
| excellent young growth of pine and
spruce The proper methods for thinning
which are so effective in increasing the
| growth of forest trees, can be demon
strated here.
The aim of the state forester in man.
aging the tract will be to make every
portion of it as productive as possible
so that in the end 1t will not only be
| splendid looking forest, but very
profitable one for the state to own. Tim
Der and wood will be sold to the local
| industries and people of the region, as the
trees mature or require thinning and the
| forest should become benefit to the
community in many ways as timber
becomes more and more scarce. AS the
work of improvement goes on forestry
meetings will be held in the forest and
at all times people are welcome to in
| spect the tract provided they are care
| full about setting fires. 1t must be realized
however. that 1t requires a considerable
period to make valuable forest out
of one which has been so badly neg
| lected for so long, and people of the
region should not expect too rapid a
| development.
The tract was purchased from ]. c.
Tibbetts and Moses p. Grout, the titles
| having been carefully examined by
| States Attorney Barber, assisted by
the town clerks of Brattleboro and
! Townshend. b. A. Chandler, assistant
to the state forester, has been busy fol
| the past two weeks surveying the tract
and locating the corners. The state for
ester in speaking of the newly acquired
forest said that he was greatly indebted
to Senator Ware, Charles II. Evans and
| Mr.. Willard for their interest in locat-
ing the forest in the West river valley
| and their advice. and untiring efforts ir
| showing him about the region.
The establishment of this tract will
be benefit to the town, county anj
state. Contrary to a report which has
been in circulation here the setting of
| OF this tract to the state will in no wa,
AFFECT the grand list of the town. A par
OF section g. Act No. II. Acts of 1908
reads as follows: "All lands held as state
forest reserves shall be appraised and
set to the state in the grand list of the
town where located and the state shall
| pay taxes thereon"