FORESTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS 11 



In the mean time, a small nursery has been established, 

 principally as a part of the course in practical forestry at the 

 college. And if the nurserymen do not take up the pro- 

 duction of stock for forest planting the nursery will be 

 expanded as circumstances may warrant. 



In any event, the output of the nursery will be disposed 

 of only to bona-fide forest planters who are operating under 

 planting plans that have been approved by the State For- 

 ester. It is not necessary that the State Forest Service pre- 

 pare the plans, but it is necessary that a satisfactory plan be 

 drawn up, and a copy of it be placed on file with the State 

 Forester. 



Co-operation with the Owners of Woodlands 

 Another line of work, which is mentioned in the act, is 

 practical assistance to private owners in the management of 

 their woodlands. This is perhaps the most important line 

 of work that the State has taken up ; and as much of the time 

 of the State Forest Service as can be spared from other duties 

 will be devoted to it ; for it is believed that the forest prob- 

 lems of this State are to be solved largely by private owners. 

 While the State has acquired some lands for park purposes, 

 and a part of these lands can be used to grow timber, and 

 while the State will probably follow the example of other 

 States in the acquisition of lands to be managed as State 

 forests, still, the greater part of the woodlands in the Com- 

 monwealth is and always will be in the hands of private 

 owners. It is therefore very important that these private 

 owners should be encouraged to practise improved forestry 

 methods. The State has taken the position that it will 

 furnish to the owners the services of experts, and leave the 

 owners to make use of their services or not, as they see 

 fit. This is the American way of doing things, give the 

 citizen the help he cannot readily supply himself, and then 

 let him do as he likes about accepting the State's help. It 

 stands out in marked contrast with the drastic forest meas- 

 ures adopted by foreign governments, which limit to an 

 unwarrantable extent the rights of the private owner. 



