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 No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 245 



though they drain mostly into the Potomac, nevertheless, water 

 an area of approximately a thousand square miles, or 640,000 acres 

 of farm land. This would allow for 4,266 farms of 150 acres each, 

 less what was occupied by several thriving towns. If you estimate 

 the average value of each farm of 150 acres at $50 an acre, it would 

 mean that the agricultural value of the land was, per farm, $7,500, 

 and of the 4,266 farms, -$31,01)5,000. Of couse, the value of the 

 land occupied by towns would be greater. There is no portion of 

 all this wealthy and populous region which is not directly or indi- 

 rectly influenced for good by the presence of forests upon these 

 mountain regions. It is noteworthy, too, that the good produced 

 by these forests can be produced to the same extent by no other 

 agency of which we have control. Let us suppose that, in round 

 numbers, $100,000 were paid for this land. It would be but about 

 one-three hundred and twentieth of the value of the farm land. It 

 would be paid once for all, and be a perpetual benefit to the whole 

 region. True, the county would lose the taxes on the mountain 

 land, but it would have $25.00 a mile annually on the roads running 

 though the reservations; it would have increase of work for its 

 laborers, and a perpetual supply of cheap timber within easy reach. 



Evidently the question to ask is, not whether such a reservation 

 should be created, but what is the least cost for which it can 

 be obtained, because it would appear to be an essential to the 

 continued prosperity of the country. It is nothing to the purpose 

 to say that the same area of land could be obtained cheaper at 

 some distant point. The statement would be true, but it would be 

 misleading, because the Cumberland Valley region in question would 

 receive no direct benefits therefrom. 



There is another point to be taken up. Criticism is sometimes 

 made because rough mountain tops have been purchased by the 

 State. It is true, such have been purchased. But would the 

 owner of any extensive tract sell the mountain sides or flats with- 

 out selling the top as well? Suppose, however, that we left the 

 rough parts still in his hands and purchased only the better por- 

 tion. The State could never have a continuous area. It would be 

 obliged to endure vexatious litigation, increased cost of adminis- 

 tration of its lands, and seldom, if ever, be able to obtain the great- 

 est return from its own holdings. 



I have taken much of your time to place this subject plainly be- 

 fore vou, because I find that those who are not called to deal 

 with such questions, often fail to obtain a proper view of 

 them, and it is important that so vital a question should be fully 

 understood. Everything thus far done in forestry has been founda- 

 tion work. Now that the State owns land, it should care for it in 

 order to bring about the largest results. 



