532 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Within the purcliase areas the selection of the most suitable lands 

 for purchase presents a problem of much importance. It will not do 

 to iU'(iuiro small scattered tracts, since they can neither be administered 

 nor utilized advantageously. It is necessary first of all to ascertain 

 that a tract of at least 15,000 to 20,000 acres in a body and of the right 

 character of land can be obtained. Other considerations to be kept 

 in mind are the strategic importance of the lands with respect to 

 economy of administration and the protection of the whole water- 

 shed, their relative value for timber production and prevention of 

 erosion, their freedom from ownei*ship complications due to defective 

 titles, or mixed ownership on account of alienated water power, 

 timber or mineral rights; and whether the lands can be bought at 

 reasonable prices. 



The Secretary of Agriculture announced during the year that no 

 optioned lands would be considered. This action was made neces- 

 sary by the activities of certain individuals who sought to precede 

 the Government and tie up the desired lands by options in the hope 

 that they might themselves sell them to the Government at a hand- 

 some profit. With the refusal absolutely to consider such lands no 

 further trouble of this kind arose. 



Lands are appraised as a result of a careful field examination made 

 for the purpose of ascertaining the kinds, quantity, and quality of 

 timber and the character and quality of the soil. Timber values are 

 reckoned on the basis of present cost of operating and market prices, 

 with due allowance for risks and profits. When the Forest Service 

 has determined the value of a tract, negotiations are taken up with 

 the owner for the purpose of obtaining an option at a price not 

 greater than the value of the land as shown by the estimate. The 

 option is usually taken for a period of from three to four months — 

 long enough to give the National Forest Reservation Commission 

 time to consider and act upon the recommendations of the Forest 

 Service for the purchase of the tract. After approval by the com- 

 mission a purchase agreement is entered into by the Secretary of 

 Agriculture and the vendor. 



All lands on which condemnation proceedings have been instituted 

 or which are brought under purchase contract are surveyed by the 

 Forest Service by horizontal measurement and the acreage thus ascer- 

 tained is used as the basis of paj'ment. In many cases in the Appala- 

 chian region lands have never been accurately surveyed, or if they 

 have been surveyed it has been by surface measurement. Frequently 

 the actual acreage found is less than that reported ; in some instances 

 the shrinkage amounts to from 8 to 10 per cent. It is impossible to 

 ascertain with great accuracy what liability has been incurred in any 

 purchase until the land has been surveyed and the title has been 

 examined. It will consequently be difficult if not impossible to utilize 

 closely during any fiscal year the funds appropriated for that year. 

 The action taken by Congress to make available until expended the 

 funds yearly appropriated under this act will aid substantially in 

 working out the purposes of the law. 



The lands placed under purchase contract or condemnation pro- 

 ceedings during the year are partly cut over, partly more or less 

 culled of their best timber, and partly virgin timberland. The aver- 

 age price is $5.95 per acre, with a range of from $1.16 to $15 per acre. 



