In order to make the appropriation as useful as possible, I am 

 addressing the chairman of the board of selectmen in each town, also 

 all organizations and persons likely to be interested, asking if they 

 have any lands they desire to turn over to the State for forest demon- 

 stration purposes. As many acres have already been offered to the 

 State, provided the State Forester will accept and reforest them, and 

 as it is believed that there are many more that would do likewise, I 

 take this opportunity to bring the matter to your attention, and 

 through you to your board, town and public interests. 



Should your town authorities neglect to take advantage of this 

 offer, you undoubtedly have some live, enthusiastic organizations, 

 such as the grange, village improvement societies, farmers' and 

 mechanics' clubs, etc., or even one or more public-spirited citizens, 

 who would gladly donate cheap lands for the purpose. The donations 

 for consideration are to be in the following classes: (1) land offered 

 to the State free without restrictions; (2) land offered to the State 

 free with restrictions. 



As the work of reforestation thus done is to serve as an object 

 lesson educationally, the State Forester desires in so far as possible 

 to ultimately have these demonstrative forestry experiments in 

 various representative sections of the State, locating them on fre- 

 quently travelled roads, where they may do the most good. 



Should you find an interest in your town to take this matter up, 

 please advise me. It is desired that this work be gotten well in hand, 

 so that all plans may be matured and the definite arrangements made 

 where this work is to go forward. 



Only a limited appropriation is available, and if you care to have 

 your town do something, please take the matter up at an early date 

 and confer with me. 



It is believed much good is to come from this work, in promoting 

 a better utilization of our waste and neglected lands, that should and 

 will produce valuable forest products when properly husbanded. 



When your application is received, it will be filed, and as soon 

 as a date can be arranged, the State Forester or his authorized agent 

 will meet with you or your committee and go over the land to com- 

 plete arrangements for accepting and planting the same. First 

 come, first served! 



Very sincerely yours, F. W. RANE, 



State Forester. 



STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS. 



The outcome of this agitation has resulted in the State's 

 taking over by the end of the fiscal year, "Nov. 30, 1908, 882 

 acres of land and purchasing about a million and a half of 

 seedlings and transplants. We also planted about 25 acres 

 to white pine at South Ashburnham this last fall. 



