204 Report of Faemeks' Institutes 



For tlie farmers who are not in debt, a forest plantation pro- 

 vides a safe investment for his capital, provides employment for 

 men when they may be otherwise unemployed, and at the same 

 time adds to the beauty and value of his farm. 



In many parts of this state, outside of the Adirondacks and 

 Catskill Parks, extensive areas requiring reforesting, and large 

 areas of forests which are in a dilapidated condition, are to be 

 found. Such reforesting or forestry projects are too large to be 

 undertaken by individuals, since a long period is required for 

 their development. These areas, however, furnish excellent op- 

 jiortunities for investment by corporations or organizations which 

 will endure for a long period of time. 



At the beginning it was stated that forests are of general benefit 

 to the community, not entirely from the point of timber produc- 

 tion, but also by protecting the hillsides, preventing erosion, build- 

 ing up the fertility of the soil, regulating the run-off of water in 

 the streams, and adding to the natural beauty of the scenery. If 

 this is true and the forests are beneficial to the whole community, 

 is there any reason why the more extensive forests should not be 

 owned and administered by the community for its own benefit ? 



This statement brings us directly to the consideration of a law 

 passed by the Xew York State Legislature which provides for 

 the acquisition and administration of tracts of forest land by 

 towns, counties and villages (Chapter 74 of the Laws of 1912). 

 Up to the present time none of the counties of this state have 

 taken advantage of this law. Work in reforesting is being carried 

 on by twenty cities and villages in connection with the protection 

 of their water supply. We have yet to develop a real communal 

 forest managed under scientific principles for the purpose of 

 timber production. 



Section 72-a, Chapter 74 of the Laws of 1912, entitled "Ac- 

 quisition and Development of Forest Lands," provides for the 

 following : 



The governing board of a county, town or village may severally acquire 

 for such county, town or village, by purchase, gift, lease or condemna- 

 tion, and hold as the property of such municipality, tracts of land having 

 forests or tree growth thereon, or suitable for the growth of trees, and 

 may appropriate therefor the necessary moneys o'f the coimty, town or 

 village for which the lands are acquired. Such lands shall be under the 

 management and control of such board and shall be developed and used 

 for the planting and rearing of trees thereon and for the cultivation 

 thereof according to the principles of scientific forestry, for the benefit 

 and advantage of the county, town or village. 



