FOREST CONSERVATION IN SOUTHERN PINE REGION. H 



to make forest investigations. A reasonably adequate appropriation 

 of funds will be required to carry on the work. 



As an example of a law which provides for these features may be 

 cited that which was recently passed by the Legislature of Texas. 

 This measure is brief and simple. The Texas Forestrj^ Association 

 was organized by a number of public-spirited citizens especially to 

 do educational work on its behalf, and the press throughout the 

 State gave very generously of space in both news and editorial 

 columns for the same purpose. The law follows: 



An act authorizing the board of directors of the Agricultaral and Mechanical 

 College to appoint a State forester, prescribing his qualifications, duties, and 

 salary, providing for a system of forest protection, management, and replace- 

 ment, and declaring an emergency. 



Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas: 



Section 1. That there shall be appointed by the board of directors of the 

 Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas a State forester, who shall 

 be a technically trained forester of not less than two years' experience in pro- 

 fessional forestry work. His compensation shall be fixed by said board at not 

 to exceed $3,000 per annum, and he shall be allowed reasonable traveling and 

 field expenses incurred in the performance of his official duties. He shall, 

 under the general supervision of said board, have direction of all forest inter- 

 ests and all matters pertaining to forestry within the jurisdiction of the State. 

 He shall appoint, subject to the approval and confirmation of said board, such 

 assistants and employees as may be necessary in executing the duties of his 

 office and the purposes of said board, the compensation of such assistants and 

 employees to be fixed by the said board. He shall take such action as may be 

 deemed necessary by said board to prevent and extinguish forest fires, shall 

 enforce all laws pertaining to the protection of forest and woodlands, and 

 prosecute for any violation of such laws; collect data relative to forest con- 

 ditions, and to cooperate with landowners as described in section 2 of this 

 act. He shall prepare for said board annually a report on the progress and 

 condition of State forestry work, and recommend therein plans for improv- 

 ing the State system of forest protection, management and replacement. 



Sec. 2. That the State forester shall, upon request, under the sanction of the 

 board of directors, and whenever he deems it essential to the best interests of 

 the people of the State, cooperate with counties, towns, corporations, or indi- 

 viduals in preparing plans for the protection, management, and replacement of 

 trees, woodlots, and timber tracts, under an agreement that the parties obtain- 

 ing such assistance pay at least the field expenses of the men employed in 

 preparing said plans. 



Sec. 3. That the governor of the State is authorized, upon the recommenda- 

 tion of the board of directors, to accept gifts of land to the State, same to be 

 held, protected, and administered by said board as State forests, and to be 

 used so as to demonstrate the practical utility of timber culture and water 

 conservation, and as refuges for game. Such gifts must be absolute, except for 

 the reservation of all mineral and mining rights over and under said lands, 

 and a stipulation that they shall be administered as State forests. 



The board of directors shall have the power to purchase lands in the name 

 of the State, suitable chiefly for the production of timber, as State forests, 

 using for such purposes any special appropriation or any surplus money not 

 otherwise appropriated, which may be standing to the credit of the State 

 forestry fund. 



