1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 263 



ings were to be included in the taking, their use could be 

 continued until death or removal of the occupants. Other- 

 wise, such taking would be burdensome to those towns at 

 first ; but, as the woodland became forest and the necessary 

 roads for drawing out the wood or timber were built, the 

 improvement might result in increasing the attractiveness of 

 the townships, and a consequent increase in the valuation of 

 surrounding property might result to the benefit of the 

 towns where the forests were located. 



While this represents a course that I believe the govern- 

 ment must take in due course of time, providing individuals 

 do not see profit in taking up the subject, the question arises 

 whether it is yet time for the Legislature to seriously 

 consider it. To reply to the legislative order, we might 

 respectfully say that we find thirty-six per cent of our 

 acreage in wood and sprout land, which is increasing in 

 quantity, with but little forest land in it, and that lumber 

 is cut only for local use, except perhaps in comparatively 

 insignificant quantity ; as to the need of protecting them, 

 the laws seem good, but public opinion often has too little 

 consideration for the value of woodland property, and too 

 little of the danger to it from fire. Its injury or destruction 

 often results from sources that cannot be proved. 



In considering our woodlands from a sanitary, or other 

 stand-point, it may be said that the small proportion of old 

 forest must lessen the value of our woods as a source of 

 water supply in the State, because forest land is productive 

 of springs ; although springs are sometimes found in open 

 hill-sides, as, for example, those supplying Cottage City 

 and Vineyard Haven. The forests, when surrounding the 

 reservoirs of water supplies, — as has been accomplished 

 in the city of Lynn, — are a very important means of pro- 

 tecting the purity of the water, and consequently the health 

 of our people, when such water is used for domestic pur- 

 poses. 



The large proportion that the woodland acreage bears to 

 the total acreage of the State would seem to be sufficient 

 for economic purposes, so far as acreage can affect it ; but 

 its quality and condition is open to much criticism and great 

 improvement. 



