The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-07-23
By GERALD GRIFFIN
baltimore Sunday SUM

the United States first began to fall
before the saw mills there has been a
growing realization that attention
must be given the succeeding growths
of trees if the country's supply is to
be maintained. Thus it has come about
that reforestation projects have be-
come important in the plans of States
and counties as well as the Federal
Government. Maryland is taking an
active part in restoring its forest
lands, and while its projects cannot
be compared in size to those of lar
ger states, such as New York, its
record is one of substantial progress.
The State owns some $4,000 acres
of forest, of which about $4,000 acres
are in Garrett county. Other land is
held in Charles, Prince Georges,
Washington, Allegany, Howard, Wor-
cester and Talbot counties. Last year
on this State-owned land some co.
900 trees were painted, while in addi-
ton the State sold 4,630 trees for
roadside planting and nearly 100000
for private planting.
All these young trees came from
the State nurseries at College Park,
where trees are sold at cost for pri-
vate planting when the purchaser
agrees to use them for forest, wind
break or roadside purposes. No appli-
cations are accepted for less than
100 trees of one kind to be used for
forests or windbrakes, while at least
ten must be purchased in one group
for roadside planting.
Most of the land in Maryland for
ests was abandoned farm or timber
land when purchased Because of
this the State was able to secure it at
a low cost; the average price per acre
has been about So. All of this land is
suitable for forest purposes and in
most cases is unsuited to present
agricultural conditions. By paying
cash and by elaboration in making
its purchases the State is able to Sc
cure land at bargain prices, explains
State Forester F. w. Besley, and be-
cause the State, unlike most individu-
ais, may plan ahead as far as fifty
years, it expects to profit, both direct
ly and indirectly, from its forests.
Direct profits are expected to be re-
allied from a judicious sale of tim
Der. At the same time, however, the
State will not follow the logging
methods which have wiped out so
many acres of this country's virgin
timber, but will pursue system cal
culated to assure perpetual return
from the land. Through necessary
thinning, removal of trees after they
have reached maturity and a con-
slant care of the young trees, the for
ests will be kept in state of con-
tinual production.
In connection with a forestry bill
passed by the General Assembly this
year, Mr.. Besley computed the finan-
cial returns the State might expect
from its timber lands in Western
Maryland. Taking 10,O00-acre tract
in Garrett county for an example, he
estimated that in forty-five years the
timber rights to the tract would be
worth $414,O0O, with the State re-
manning the owner of the land. This
is a return of SAL per acre over the
45-year period, or nearly 81 per acre
per year.
The above figures, which Mr.. Besley
says are conservative, apply to the
natural timber land of Western
Maryland, which usually is in poor
condition when purchased. Much
greater returns might be expected on
plantations where the trees have been
selected according to the nature OF the
land, planted at proper intervals and
supervised throughout growth. The
fire hazard also may be better con-
trolled on plantations than on natural
timber land. Under these almost ideal
conditions net returns per acre may
run between $3.50 and $500 per acre
over a 40-year period.
That this plan of securing State
revenue is quite feasible has been
demonstrated effectively in a few
small European villages, where COM
munal timber land brings in returns
large enough not only to pay expenses
of the village government but also to
make possible a dividend for the will
ayers. This Utopian condition, it is
hardly necessary to add, should not be
anticipated in Maryland.
To compensate the counties for the
loss of taxes from State-owned land in
Maryland the bill mentioned above
was drawn up. By its provisions the
counties will receive fifteen per cent
of the gross revenues from the land,
to be paid annually. Some of the land
L. ho4