No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE FORESTER. 219 



While the State of New York was encouraging its people in 

 reforestation by the above generous offer, J\Lassachusetts was 

 unable to purchase similar white pine seedlings for less than $4 

 l)er 1,000 in this country, and even at that price we were com- 

 pelled to take them in 100,000 lots ; for 1,000 lots the price was 

 $5 per 1,000 for the best and $4 for second quality. Trans- 

 plants of white pine were quoted at from $10 to $20 per 

 1,000. 



If New York can do this, and iiiake the work self-supporting, 

 I feel sure that under similar conditions Massachusetts can do 

 as well. 



As was stated last year, it is not the intention of the State to 

 go into the nursery business, other than to meet requirements in 

 carrying out a practical economic reforestation policy. If we 

 can grow seedlings and pay all expenses for $2.25 per 1,000, 

 why should we be compelled to paj^ $5 ? Using, as we will the 

 coming spring in the State reforestation work, 2,000,000, the 

 cost if grown by ourselves would not exceed $4,500, while in 

 the American markets they would cost us $8,000 if purchased 

 in large lots, or $10,000 if purchased in smaller quantities. 



While the difference in white pine seedlings seems large, 

 transplants are comparatively more expensive, the one being 

 $4.25 per 1,000 as compared to $12. 



Norway Spruce as a Forest Tree. 



This tree is used quite commonly as an ornamental tree in 

 this State, and common observation shows that it succeeds re- 

 markably well. As a possible forest tree it has not been con- 

 sidered very seriously until this year. It is believed that the 

 Norway spruce will succeed where our native spruces are 

 found growing naturally, and perhaps elsewhere. The follow- 

 ing experience of Mr. George Aiken, manager of the Billings 

 Farm at Woodstock, Vt, in growing Norway spruce on his 

 farm, is herewith offered, with his permission. 



One acre was planted with three-year-old trees, 8 feet apart 

 each way, requiring 680 trees to the acre. The land was a 

 poor, sandy hillside, unfit for cultivation. In 1908, when the 

 trees were thirty-two years of age, or thirty-five years from 

 seed, 4 average-sized trees were cut. Their measurements were 

 as follows : — 



