REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSIONER. 



In presenting this the ninth report of the Forest Commis- 

 sioner of Maine, I do so reaHzing the importance of the ofiRce to 

 the forestry interests of the state and that much of the future 

 prosperity is bound up in the richly wooded areas of the several 

 counties. 



Accepting the office of Forest Commissioner in the spring 

 of 191 1 I took up the work and have endeavored to carry it on 

 in a manner to uplift and forward the greatest of Maine's 

 resources. 



Coupled with the duties of Forest Commissioner is that of 

 Land Agent of the state, having the custody of the only remain- 

 ing township in the state's name, Indian Township in Wash- 

 ington County, together with upwards of 90,000 acres of public 

 or school lands held in trust by the state for such townships 

 as have plantation organizations, or have at some time been or- 

 ganized and later given up their organization for some reason 

 or other. 



I have given considerable time to the subject of permitting 

 these lands and in all cases endeavored to place the permits in 

 the hands of men whom I trusted would cut the lands to the 

 best advantage, taking into consideration the future growth. 

 Some twenty permits were given for the lumbering season of 

 191 1- 12, from which was realized about $23,000 Not as 

 many permits have been given for the coming season, but there 

 will be some cutting on state lots. 



. As a result of a study into the state's right in the timber 



and grass in certain school or reserved lands I have found some 



3000 acres in which the state has a claim. In the old deeds of 



the timber and grass there is a provision that the right to cut 



and carry away said timber and grass shall continue until the 



said townshi}) or tract shall be incorporated, or organized for 



v-^ plantation purposes, and no longer. In some instances I found 



*— that where the townships were organized and after a short 



*"■ period had given u]) tlicir organization, assuming again the 



status of an unorganized township, that the land of the reserved 



Llj lots had not been taken over by the state. 



