40 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



agricultural regions which now are practically shut off from the 

 market, to make possible the development of mines and to stimulate 

 prospecting, to shorten the distances of travel between localities and 

 through the States, to make accessible wood and timber required for 

 local use and for the lumber industry, and to enable the public to visit 

 and enjoy the Forests for recreation and health. At the last session 

 of Congress this urgent need received recognition through the en- 

 actment of the Federal Aid Road Act. An appropriation of 

 $10,000,000, to become available at the rate of $1,000,000 each 

 year, was made. This legislation constitutes one of the most im- 

 portant and far-reaching steps in National Forest development which 

 has been taken for a long time. 



EASTERN FORESTS. 



By making provision for the continued purchase of forest lands in 

 the East, Congress once more has recognized the permanence of the 

 National Forest policy. Three million dollars, expendable during the 

 fiscal years 1917 and 1918, has been made available for this work. 

 The purchase of lands in the Appalachian and White Mountains, with 

 a view primarily to the control of stream flow affecting the navi- 

 gability of rivers, began in 1911. Under the provisions of the Weeks 

 Forestry Act there have been approved for purchase 1,396,367 acres, 

 at an average cost of $5.22 per acre. The lands are in excellent 

 condition and have been secured at very reasonable prices. These 

 newly established Forests already are rendering important public 

 service and are being used extensively. There is a marked demand 

 for the timber upon them. The timber is cut in accordance with 

 sound forestry practice. The White Mountain Forest in a short 

 time should return to the Government as much as it costs to protect 

 and administer it. 



EXCHANGE OF LANDS. 



Legislative advance also has been made in the approval by Con- 

 gress of several important land exchanges. There are within the 

 National Forests some private lands which are so intimately inter- 

 locked with Government lands as to embarrass protection and ad- 

 ministration. At the last session of Congress authority was granted 

 for the consolidation of Government holdings through exchange 

 with private owners whose lands are within the boundaries of the 

 Florida National Forest and within two of the Forests in the State 



