PROGRESS OF THE PURCHASE OF EASTERN NATIONAL FORESTS 



457 



Representatives authorizing the recommended appro- 

 priations. 



The 1,841.934 acres which have been or are being 

 acquired are being purchased at an average price of $5.26 

 an acre. It is believed that purchases have been judiciusly 



ment. There seems to be a widespread opinion that the 

 Government is acquiring very large cut-over or unpro- 

 ductive lands. This is by no means the case, as is indi- 

 cated by the income from the Forests. Many of the pur- 

 chases, however, are lands which through neglect by 



SECOND GROWTH STAND 



Yellow poplar and chestnut, pole size, on purchased land. This shows the general character of lands being acquired in 



the Southern Appalachians. 



made and that, since the merchantable timber has very 

 greatly increased in value, they are now worth much 

 more than the amounts paid for them. In addition to 

 their protective function, these lands are already demon- 

 strating that financially they will be an excellent invest- 



prior owners have been burned and their earning capacity 

 greatly reduced, or they are cut-over lands or lands in 

 young timber which can yield no immediate returns, 

 though all lands so classed have productive capacity. The 

 cutting of timber by the Government on the acquired 



