FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 373 



On the land of the Morgan Lumber Company several hundred acres, perhaps 500 

 or more on the various lots along the river front, were cleared ofT years ago when the 

 tanneries and lumbering operations were going on.* But from present appearances, 

 the forest is again getting the best of the clearings, as the bushes are crowding in 

 around the edges and springing up into second growth on much of it. Fires have 

 never injured these lands, to any extent at least ; such as we viewed showed no 

 evidence of any large fires having run through it. 



Along the river road there are quite a number of old buildings, once used as 

 residences, but now unoccupied and of no special use or value; also some few houses 

 along the south side of the river which are occupied by families. If the State should 

 purchase this tract these occupants should not be allowed to remain unless they are 

 legally entitled to do so. They are an irresponsible class whose careless, slovenly 

 methods of carrying on their so-called farming is a constant nuisance to the whole 

 region on account of fire. Besides, they become habitual trespassers. 



The general appearance of these lands is that of a dense forest and indicates that 

 within a few years they will again be interspersed with large-sized evergreen trees ; 

 that is to say, with a good, fair proportion of spruce and hemlock. This conclusion is 

 fair from the fact that a considerable portion of the timber now standing is young 

 spruce, hemlock, and balsam. 



We ha\e had submitted to us the detailed report of Thomas Powers, Forester, 

 made from personal examination in the winter of 1895, of all the Morgan Lumber 

 Company lots ; also the report of S. C. Armstrong, Forester, who examined the 

 Edmondson and Winney lots at the same time. These reports give the particulars and 

 details as to each lot, quality and quantity of timber, and topographical features, and 

 are submitted herewith as part of this, our report. 



The said Foresters' reports, twelve in number, are marked for identification, 

 "Exhibits A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K. and L." 



The assessed valuation of these lots for 1895 is: Lots 13 to 16, inclusive, $1 per 

 acre ; and balance of Townships 10 and 29 at $1.50 per acre.f 



The purchase of the lands in the three offerings considered in this report will, as 

 may be seen bj' reference to the map, give the State quite a solid tract of forest on the 

 Upper Sacandaga. Deeming the price proposed reasonable and fair, your Committee 

 recommends that, if the funds on hand will warrant, contracts be made for the 

 purchase of all three of the tracts offered. 



*These cleared lands were not included in the offer of the Morgan Lumber Company, and were 

 not bought by the State. 



f The intention of the assessors is to always assess land at less than its value. 



