FOREST POLICY OF PENNSYLVANIA 



By JOHN L, STROBECK 



OWING to the stand Pennsylvania 

 has taken with regard to tree 

 propagation, in accordance with 

 the principles of economic forestry, she 

 now occupies a position the prominence 

 of which is not the least of her assets. 

 I say assets because it is that promi- 

 nence which acts as a continual incent- 

 ive to interest with the landowners in 

 forest preservation and reforestation ; 

 and what can be accomplished by an 

 aroused public is well known in com- 

 mercial economy as well as politically. 



But it is the intention to review and 

 discuss the policies of the Department 

 of Forestry of the state with regard to 

 the public lands now under the man- 

 agement of the Department, rather than 

 the economic status regarding private 

 lands. The Department has under its 

 management with absolute title 780,000 

 acres of forest land, with options foi 

 purchase on other lands to the extent 

 of 125,000 acres, which represents near- 

 ly $3,000,000 paid-for titles. How- 

 ever, Commissioner Conklin places a 

 conservative estimate of $5,000,000 as 

 the actual value based on current values 

 of these lands to the state at the present 

 time. 



Pennsylvania stands second among 

 the states in the number of acres of 

 state forest land. New York alone ex- 

 ceeding her. But if liberal opportuni- 

 ties continue to be given for the pur- 

 pose of purchasing forest land, it is a 

 question of only a few years of time be- 

 fore the state will lead in this respect 

 also. In fact, it is the express desire 

 of Governor Stuart, as given in 

 a speech at Bethlehem this summer, that 

 the state continue the purchase of for- 

 est land until it has in its possession 

 or control a total of 6,000,000 acres. 



Localities where discontent arose 

 when acquisition was first attempted. 



are now reconciled in the majority of 

 cases because of the advantage 

 afiforded — 



(i) To the poor mountaineer, in 

 whose vicinity the greater areas of the 

 Reserves are situated. He secures la- 

 bor with more ease, since improvement 

 is also necessary under the policies of 

 the state aside from the usual harvest- 

 ing which was carried on formerly ; and 

 harvesting also requires more labor be- 

 cause of the conservative and efificient 

 manner in which it is done. More la- 

 bor is therefore, the result, and this 

 strikes a responsive chord in this class 

 of people, which ultimately places the 

 Department in their favor. 



(2) Because of the advantage afford- 

 ed the small landowner who can rest in 

 greater security from devastation by 

 fire, owing to his close proximity to 

 state lands, where protection is a note- 

 worthy feature. He also secures an ad- 

 vantage when he is given work by the 

 Department during portions of the year 

 when his labor is not required on his 

 own property. He secures winter labor, 

 when formerly he remained idle dur- 

 ing the colder months. He also enjoys 

 grazing privileges on an equality with 

 the large stockraiser, for rates are the 

 same to all, ani his allotment is his 

 only so long as he pays the rates. Of 

 course these advantages are not always 

 clear to him, for his interest generally 

 lies locally only ; but it is surprising to 

 note how s])eedily these people are com- 

 ing to an appreciative frame of mind. 



(3) Because of privileges accorded 

 sportsmen. Although restrictions are 

 posted over state lands which require 

 observance, yet they are very reason- 

 able and still more efifective, and the 

 sportsman has the additional advantage 

 of avoiding trespassing processes. The 

 game commission, by authority and ap- 



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