FORESTRY MOVEMENT IN UNITED STATES. 385 



inquiry, appointed in 1881 and reporting in 1885 ; 

 and another such commission in 1889, reporting in 

 1893, when the permanent forestry commission 

 was created (March 29, 1893) with a paid secre- 

 tary, who publishes an annual report. The main 

 function of the commission is one of inquiry and 

 suggestion, besides partial supervision of the forest 

 fire law. The acquisition of public parks, if pri- 

 vate munificence should be found willing to furnish 

 the necessary funds, is also made a part of the 

 function of the commission. Two small areas 

 have been donated for this purpose. Within the 

 last year (1901) the Society for the Protection 

 of New Hampshire Forests was formed, which, 

 through the employment of a forester, attempts to 

 secure increased practical interest. 



In Massachusetts no special public officers are 

 charged with the care of forestry interests, and 

 hence the otherwise useful existing legislation in 

 the interest of forestry is probably of only partial 

 effect. Its best feature is perhaps that of encour- 

 aging communities to become owners of forest , 

 tracts (chap. 255, acts of 1882). The city of Bos- 

 ton has made special efforts in this direction, hav- 

 ing set aside more than 7000 acres for forest 

 parks. The State Board of Agriculture was, in 

 1890, ordered to inquire "into the condition of 

 the forests of the state, the need and methods of 

 their protection," and report thereon, which order 

 did not produce anything of value. A bill to se- 



