FORESTRY PROGRESS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 21 



In 1901 the legislature authorized the appointment of discreet persons 

 by each town to control and protect the shade trees on the highway and tag 

 them with a New Hampshire tag. It was unfortunately afterwards found 

 that, however discreet such tree wardens might be, this act as it stood, was 

 unconstitutional if contested by abutting owners. But as provision was made 

 also for purchase and contest was not frequent, it has been of very material 

 service in the protection of shade trees. 



In 1901 the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests grew 

 out of the general interest. The first president was ex-Governor Frank W. 

 Rollins, Joseph T. Walker was secretary, and Gen. George T. Cruft, treasurer, 

 Philip W. Ayers was and is the forester of the society. Allen Hollis of Con- 

 cord, succeeded Mr. Walker and is now the secretary. The society started 

 with 230 representatives and distinguished members, numbering among them 

 Edward Everett Hale, who, as a young man in 1825, helped in the first survey 

 of the state to run town lines over the ragged peaks of the White Mountains, 

 and was throughout his life a warm exponent of all that made for the pro- 

 tection of their forests and scenic beauty. It has continually added to its 

 numbers and resources and has obtained strong support from outside the state, 

 especially from the neighboring commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its unoffi- 

 cial nature and consequent freedom to act and advise has enabled it to become 

 one of the most potent factors towards progress in the state. The purpose 

 shown by its initial constitution was: 



To encourage forest growth. 



To disseminate knowledge upon planting, managing and harvesting the 

 forest crop. 



To establish a nursery for distributing small trees and seed. 



To establish demonstrating forests. 



To preserve scenic places and high and steep slopes of mountains. 



To conserve growing forests and secure legislation. 



Since its establishment it has given especial encouragement and aid to 

 scientific reproduction of the forest and maintained its own nursery ; has 

 advocated state control, state forests, larger co-operation with the federal 

 government and other forestry associations, and its annual meetings, which 

 have lately been held in the White Mountains during the summer season, have 

 brought together many distinguished guests and visitors. Working plans for 

 improvement cutting have been made by Forester Ayres for many institutions 

 throughout the state, such as the Concord Electric Company, Concord Water 

 Works, and St. Paul's School. The care of the Dartmouth College grant of 

 26,000 acres was placed in his hands. The society has recently been made 

 trustee for the residents around Lake Sunapee of a forest reserve"^ of 700 acres 

 on Sunapee Mountain, which was generously purchased and given by Herbert 

 ^^'elch and Mrs. Covill of Philadelphia, Mrs. John Hay of Washington, and 

 Richard M. Colgate of New York. 



Nineteen hundred and three also saw the commencement of the agitation 

 for a national forest reserve in the White Mountains, largely through the 

 influence of this association. Through the efforts of the Forestry Commission 

 resolutions passed the legislature giving consent and approval to any action 

 to establish such a reserve by Congress. Senator Gallinger presented a bill 

 in the Senate in December, 1903, to the 58th Congress. This was favorably 

 reported on from committee by Senator Burnham at the second session, but 

 was not brought to vote before the opening of the 59th (Congress. A bill which 

 had subsequently been drawn up to combine the White Mountain reserve and 

 the Southern Appalachian reserve was introduced again in the Senate by Sen- 

 ator Gallinger and conjointly in the House by Representative Currier.' This 

 passed the Senate but was held up in the House Committee of Agriculture. 

 The supporters of the bill obtained a two days' hearing before this committee 



