46 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The history of stumpago prices is even more telling than 

 that of lumber prices, since in these latter other modifying 

 elements besides the supply of raw material are to be dis- 

 counted. Unfortunately, this history is more private, and 

 only occasionally accessible. But the fact that the Ontario 

 government during this year has doubled the dues on all tim- 

 ber cut to $2 per thousand, and, in addition, has raised the 

 ground rent on timber limits from $2 to $5 per square mile, 

 certainly shows the sudden recognition of the changed con- 

 ditions. The reported sale of timber limits at prices double 

 what they brought five years ago and treble what they were 

 valued ten years ago, accentuates this realization ; * while 

 in the United States many cases can be cited where the 

 stumpago price paid for desirable timber lands has doubled 

 and trebled within a few months. 



The truth is dawning upon the lumbermen that there is 

 actually not enough timber in sight to supply the ever- 

 growing demand for the next thirty 3'ears. 



Has the evil day come ? Has the time for active initiative 

 in forest culture arrived? Xay, it has passed without our 

 knowing it, for all our recuperative measures are now too 

 late to prevent the inconveniences which come with a short- 

 age of timber supplies. 



Does this concern Massachusetts? If this question of 

 supplies does not concern the State as such, its citizens 

 separately must necessarily share in the calamity ; and, as a 

 member of the Union, the CommonAvealth itself must take 

 cognizance of it, and make statesmanlike provision against 

 it. 



Another interest, which lies nearer home, comes to light, 

 if we investigate the statistics of the occupancy of the soil, 

 its ownership and the forest conditions of Massachusetts. 



Unfortunately, census enumerators still fail to gather in- 

 formation in such a manner that it becomes available for the 

 use of discussing all questions that may arise. The Massa- 

 chusetts Bureau of Statistics was in this respect an improve- 

 ment on other census bureaus. The State census and the 



* At the last sale of timber limits (December 9), in spite of the increased 

 dues and rent, the bonus paid per acre averaged over $7. 



