214 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Contrary to results in 1907, thinning work in 1008 seemed 

 to be more popular than jilanting. This may be due in part 

 to the fact that we have endeavored to mark a portion of the 

 trees to be cut. 



For a record of the work done, see list under forestry ex- 

 penditures and receipts. 



Reforestation Woek. 



Great interest has been shown in regard to reforesting the 

 waste and denuded lands of the Commonwealth. The reforesta- 

 tion law of 1908 fills to a large extent a long-felt want in this 

 line of work, and, although the State planting is necessarily 

 limited by the appropriation, it is desired as far as possible to 

 plant one or more lots in each town in the State. This will 

 place before the people an example which private owners can 

 follow out in their own work, and in time bring much of the 

 lands generally considered worthless and an eyesore to the com- 

 munity back into a profitable forest growth. 



Land referred to as fit only for reforesting purposes can be 

 classed under the following types: cut-over land, burnt-over 

 land, and run-out pasture land (growing up to gray birch, etc.). 

 The land taken over under this act generally comes under one 

 of the foregoing types. 



The first of the year a notice and copy of the acts were sent 

 to the selectmen, forest warden and the leading newspapers in 

 each town. From applications desiring to take advantage of 

 the act, deeds for 929 acres of land have been recorded and the 

 tracts planted last spring. For this purpose 500,000 three-year- 

 old white pine transplants were obtained from German nurseries, 

 and as many more seedlings from this country, a portion of the 

 latter being sent out from the State nursery at Amherst. 



The difi"erent lots were planted by local workmen in the 

 towns, under the supervision of experienced foresters from this 

 office. The average cost of j)lanting this year ranges from $6 

 to $10 per acre; but by raising our own trees in a nursery estab- 

 lished for the purpose the cost could be greatly reduced. 



In a few instances it was deemed advisable to cut a fire belt 

 on the exposed side of the plantation, to act as a protection from 



