952 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



Mansfield tract, just acquired; 3,600 acres have been acquired by gift, 

 the remainder by purchase. The average cost of the land purchased 

 has been about $5 per acre, although the laws authorizing purchase 

 have not limited the cost per acre. The total stand of timber on these 

 forests is approximately fifteen million board feet. Small sales of 

 timber have been made, the proceeds from which are used for forestry 

 purposes under the direction of the State forester. 



Massachusetts has acquired forest lands in several ways. First, there 

 are the mountain-top "reservations," as they are designated, which have 

 been purchased at various times since 1898. They were acquired pri- 

 marily for purposes of recreation. They comprise a total of 10,910 

 acres. The purchase price averaged $21.16 per acre, this rather high 

 figure being explained in part by the fact that the purchases included 

 buildings on one reservation, the construction of a road on another, 

 and land of special value for recreation, or even for resorts, on all. 

 The cost of the four reservations, other than the two mentioned as 

 having improvements, averaged $13.52 per acre, the lowest rate being 

 $2.91 per acre for one reservation of 815 acres. These reservations 

 are not under the control of the State forester, but are under local 

 commissions of a non-technical nature. Forestry has not been prac- 

 ticed in the management of these reservations, unless the mere removal 

 of fire-killed and other dead timber is called forestry. 



Secondly, Massachusetts owns the Metropolitan Park District of 

 Boston, comprising 10,287 acres. It is under the control of the Metro- 

 politan Park Commission, and although the parks are not ordinarily 

 considered "forest reserves," the district is noted because it comprises 

 large areas of forest held by the State for public enjoyment. 



Thirdly, under the "Reforestation Act" of 1908, Massachusetts has 

 acquired about 5,000 acres in 127 lots. The purpose of this act is to 

 enable the State to acquire a large number of small areas on which 

 reforestation could be demonstrated. The price per acre to be paid is 

 limited to $5, and the area in any single lot was limited at first to 40 

 acres, but now, by an amendment passed in 1909, it is limited to 80 

 acres. The administration of this act is under the State forester. 



Fourthly, under the law of 1914, which appropriated for land pur- 

 chase $18,000 a year for five years, Massachusetts has acquired three 

 State forests, comprising a total of about 8,700 acres, and further pur- 

 chases are being arranged. This law limits the price to $5 per acre. 

 Purchases of land under this act are made by a commission consisting 

 of the State forester and two others appointed by the Governor. The 

 administration of the areas acquired is placed under the State forester. 



