STATE OWNERSHIP OF FOREST LANDS 965 



latter may not be feasible, for the speculative value of the minerals 

 may give all portions of the surface a milder, but appreciable specula- 

 tive value, since there is always the possibility that they may be re- 

 quired for the various operations accessory to mining operations. Ap- 

 parently the enforced idleness of such lands must endure until the true 

 value of the earth's depths becomes known, and protection against fire 

 and other agencies of destruction for the inferior growth which occurs 

 naturally seems to be the only benefit which the State can wisely afford. 



Silvical conditions have an important bearing upon the advisability 

 of land purchase by the State. The degree to which public ownership 

 would modify private methods of management must be considered. 

 Keeping in mind the two important advantages which State ownership 

 has over private ownership, namely, the ability of the State to secure 

 loans at low rates of interest and the longevity of the State, it will be 

 seen that in regions of slow-growing, intolerant trees, where, after the 

 expense of establishing reproduction has been incurred, returns are 

 precluded for a long period of years, the advantage of public owner- 

 ship is great. Where silvical conditions of this kind exist, as on the 

 fire-swept plateaus of Pennsylvania or the sandy plains of Michigan, 

 private ownership will not soon undertake reforestation. On the other 

 hand, where the occurrence of tolerant species, like spruce, or of rap- 

 idly growing, easily reproduced species like the sprout hardwoods, 

 makes frequent cutting possible, the long-time element is far less im- 

 portant and the advantage of public ownership is not at all clear. In 

 such regions the private owners are already removing trees only as they 

 reach merchantable size and are reserving the younger trees for future 

 cuts. Satisfactory reproduction already occurs immediately after clean 

 cutting. That the employment of more intensive methods of silvicul- 

 ture or utilization in such regions would yield returns commensurate 

 with the increased cost of operation and administration which such 

 methods necessitate, whether under public or private ownership, has 

 not been demonstrated. 



Another point that should be considered is that for small areas the 

 administrative cost per acre is relatively high. Small areas mean rela- 

 tively long boundaries to maintain, greater proportionate expense for 

 protection and inspection, and greater irregularity in returns and ex- 

 penditure. The acquisition of forest lands should not be undertaken 

 unless the conditions are such that the State feels that it can become 

 committed to continued appropriations for purchase, protection, and 

 administration. If the areas acquired have been largely denuded, so 

 that they will be unable to yield actual returns for some time, there is 



