Conservation Commission 



113 



Convict Labok 



We have since 1912, when a nursery of live acres was estab- 

 lished at Great Meadow Prison, been using convict labor in grow- 

 ing planting stock. This nursery has since been increased in size. 

 It now has an area of fifteen acres and contains approximately 

 14,500,000 trees. The management of this nursery has been the 

 same as others. We have purchased all seeds, materials and 

 equipment, also employed necessary supervision. The prison has 

 furnished land and labor. The stock produced has been used the 

 same as if from other nurseries. All the proceeds from sale of 

 trees have been turned into the State treasury. The Prison De- 

 partment feels entitled to the fruits of this labor, and has asked 

 that we pay over to that department such portion of the proceeds 

 of sales as represents the convicts' work. If this request is to be 

 caried out, it can be done only by an amendment to existing law. 



Prison labor was first used for field planting in 1912, when 

 108,250 trees were planted on the Dannemora Prison lands by 

 convicts working under the supervision of one of our foresters. 

 The result of such planting was very satisfactory and there was 

 an average of fifty-one trees planted per man per hour. 



As has already been stated, two crews were assigned to us by the 

 Prison Department this fall for the purpose of reforesting State 

 lands. The question that naturally arises is the efficiency of the 

 labor and the economy resulting. The following table has been 

 prepared to show the comparison of convict and civilian labor for 

 ^his purpose under similar conditions: 



Comparisons of Convict and Civilian Lahor ■ — Tree Plavting 



♦ Data not compiled. 



t Men boarded themselves. 



