J06I REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTURE. 



expected, unless large tracts be covered with forest growth. The 

 military reservations in the hands of the General Government form 

 a most desirable basis for such extensive plantations. Covered with 

 a dense tree growth, such oases in this bleak but fertile " desert" 

 would better subserve the objects of our land policy in regard to the 

 development of the country than the disposal of them directly to 

 settlers. 



If properly managed such Government forests would serve most 

 admirably as practical schools of forestry, as object lessons, as forest 

 experiment stations, and would afford aid where most needed to the 

 forest planter of the plain, an example and incentive worth more than 

 any other appropriations or grants in behalf of forestry which the 

 Government could make. 



It is not the control of the Government over private property, it 

 is not the exercise of eminent domain, it is not police regulations and 

 restrictions that have produced desirable effects upon private forestry 

 abroad, but simply the example of a systematic and successful man- 

 agement of its own forests, and the opportunity offered by the Gov- 

 ernment to the private forest-owner of availing himself of the advice 

 and guidance of well-qualified forestry officials. 



That similar considerations should prevail and that similar organi- 

 zations should be inaugurated by the individual States is evident, and 

 some of the States, recognizing the value of their forest domain, have 

 taken initial steps toward preserving it and preparing the ;5vay for 

 better management. 



How much forest property is held by the individual States or is 

 under their control as school lands it has not been possible to ascertain 

 for this report. It can be, however, only an inconsiderable portion 

 of the total forest area, as the principles of our policy are opposed to 

 the holding and managing of landed property by the State. As we 

 learn to recognize not only the money value but also the general 

 economic importance of forests, whatever forest soil reverts to the 

 State or is still held by it will have to be managed on a different plan 

 from that hitherto in use, by which it is often disposed of at inade- 

 quate prices and only a temporary benefit accrues to the community 

 from the sale. The first step in this direction has been taken by the 

 State of New York, as will appear further or 



PRIVATE FORESTS. 



The bulk of the once endless forest areas is held by private per- 

 sons and corporations, such as the railroad companies, to whom the 

 land was granted by the General Government, by mine owners, by 

 charcoal-iron works (holding about 3,500,000 acres*), tanneries, and 

 other industrial establishments. The largest amount is in the hands 

 of lumbermen, speculators, and farmers. This last class of forest own- 

 ers must be considered the most desirable, since they probably form 

 the most stable class of our population, and can devote the most care 

 and attention to the management of their wood lots. It is a ho;peful 

 fact that nearly 39 per cent, of the reported forest area, comprising 

 190,255,744 acres, seems to have been in the census year in the hands 

 of farmers. By the planting of trees and groves this area is receiving 

 yearly additions in which the farming communities, especially those in 

 the Western States, are almost exclusively concerned. It is to be hoped 



♦Report of Forestry Division on Charcoal Manufacturers' Interests. 



