232 ANNUAL REPOBT. 



that it involves. From these data we may reasonably arrive at 

 some conclusions as to its continuance, with or without amend- 

 ments, or its entire repeal. 



It is a matter of record, that the act under notice was introduced 

 in Congress by the Hon. Mark H. Bunnell, of Minnesota, to whom 

 also we are indebted for the laws under which investigations in 

 forestry were first commenced in 1876. 



It was the beginning of the conservative measures for the main- 

 tenance of our forests, the need of which must have convinced 

 every thoughtful person who has noticed the rapid exhaustion of 

 these resources, and the entire neglect of measures for their re- 

 newal. This waste and neglect, tend inevitably to want, and as this 

 want approaches, the gradual advance in prices, gives unmistakable 

 notice of its coming. 



In its original form, as enacted March 3, 1873, this act offered 

 160 acres of land to any person who should plant 40 acres, and 

 keep the plantation in healthy condition for ten years, the trees 

 being not more than 12 feet apart each way. If the person failed 

 to keep his plantation in good condition, or if he failed to cultivate 

 and protect it, the land reverted to the government, subject to a 

 new entry, and the investment was lost. There was a provision in 

 favor of the homestead settler, and the entry was not to be liable 

 for the previous debts of the planter. There was no requirement 

 as to residence, nor was there any means provided for ascertaining 

 a failure, during the ten years of probation, unless upon complaint 

 of some contesting applicant. 



In every untried experiment, difficulties are liable to arise which 

 could not be foreseen, and a short experience brought to notice cer- 

 tain defects, which led to an amended act one year afterwards, the 

 points of amendment being as follows: 



The person making the entry, must be at least twenty one years 

 of age, and a citizen of the United States, or if not, one who has 

 declared his intention of becoming one. The time of proving up 

 was reduced from ten to eight years. An amount less than a 

 quarter section, if eighty or forty acres, might be entered, the re- 

 quirement for planting being a fourth part of the land entered. 

 No person could make more than one entry, unless fractional sub- 

 divisions were entered amounting in all to a quarter section. 



It was now required that the land should be broken before plant- 

 ing, one-quarter of the land intended for woodland being broken 

 the first year, another quarter the second year, and the remaining 

 half the third year. One year after breaking the land was to be 



