No. 4.] FOKESTKY IN MASSACHUSETTS. 83 



and the same east. That which burned there last spring was 

 the best spruce there was in the United States. 



The Chair. There is one phase of this forestry subject 

 that is of great interest to nie and to every man that dwells 

 in the country towns of Massachusetts, and that is, that 

 after a wood lot is cut over on these side hills, these woody 

 places or sand}^ plains, the stumpy lot is of very little 

 value, and is often sold for from $1 to $5 an acre, if a 

 customer can be found. While the State of Massachusetts 

 has expended millions of dollars for park purposes, it seems 

 to me the purchase of these cheap lands, at that minimum 

 price, even if the State is not willing to pay for the care of 

 them, would be a wonderfully good investment for future 

 generations, and for the present generation for outing pur- 

 poses. If the State does not take these lands, they are very 

 soon going to be absorbed by wealthy men for game pre- 

 serves. We have in western Massachusetts two townships 

 alinost entirely absorbed by game preserves. They are 

 reserved for hunting and fishing and for pleasure, — simply 

 a playground for those private people. If the State could 

 devise some plan by which a forester could take all the land 

 offered at a minimum price, it seems to me the public would 

 be greatly benefited, and the next generation would have an 

 income in money. 



