Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-06-03
FORESTRY WORK.
An Appropriation of Ten Million VIII
Be Asked from the Next Congress.

The American Forestry association
will urge the next congress to appro-
pirate $4,000. 900 for use at the rate Of
81. 600 600 2 year to continue the pur-
chase of land in the Southern Appa-
le.cians and White Mountains as federal
reserve forests. It is most important
that the money be set aside for this
purpose. It means much to the future
of the whole Atlantic seaboard to have
several million acres of non-agricul-
tural land, from most of which all
merchantable timber has been re-
moved, held in reserve under govern
ment ownership, protected from fire
and disease and perpetuated as pro-
ductive forest land. ALI through New
England and along the Southern APP
palachians there is a very strong SEN
timent in favor of continuing the pur-
chase of these forest growing lands.
The present appropriations for the
purchase of lands in the Southern APP
palachians and White Mountains will
cease with the fiscal year, that is on
June 30, 1915. There is now available
for further purchases about 81, 000, 900,
which sum will be sufficient to carry
the work to near the end of 1915. The
area approved for purchase by the ma
tional forest reservation commission,
or already acquired, is ], 186, 900 acres,
the average cost of which has been
slightly over SIS per acre, with an ad-
ditiOnal expense of approximately so
cents per acre for appraisals, surveys,
title examinations and supervision. 1t
is estimated by officials of the forest
service that wit hthe remaining one
million dollars enough additional lands
can be purchased to bring the total to
more than 1,400, 600 acres, with an ay-
erage price not exceeding IS per acre
The secretary of agriculture in re-
port to congress in 1907 recommended
the purchase of 5000, 900 acres in the
Southern Appalachians and SOC, 900
in ha White foi-
national forest reservation commission
in it's last report to congress strongly
approves of that recommendation in
fact, adopts it as its working pro-
g-amIne, and recommends that con-
gross extend the appropriation for pur-
chases through q further period of five
years at the rate of two million dollars
per year.
The American Forestry association
for IL years labored to secure the leg
islation embodied In the Weeks law.
which permits the requirement of
these non-agricuftural lands as forest
reserves. It has closely watched the
execution of the law under the ma
tional forest reservation commission
and the department of agriculture in
the last five years and the results
which have been accomplished demon
strate fully the wisdom Of the pro-
gramme which has been undertaken.
Furthermore, great good is being ac-
cOInpllS0eQ III putting the purchased
lands Immediately under administra-
lion so that they can be protected from
fire and fully utilized as national for
ests.
In view of the achievements accom-
plished in the way of purchases and in
The administration of acquired lands,
the American Forestry association
considers it appropriate to give fun
support to the national forest reserva.-
lion commission in it's recommendation
to congress for appropriations at the
rate of two million dollars per year for
/ further period Of five years. This
programme will be actively urged at
she next session of congress