APPALACHIAN AND WHITE MOUNTAIN WATERSHEDS. 37 



have to be paid by individuals in purchasing the same lands. Some 

 landowners might attempt to charge the Government more, but, 

 on the other hand, there are those who appreciate the advantages 

 of the Government's going into this work, and they would rather 

 sell to the Government than to any other purchaser. 



To purchase land economically in either region the Government 

 shpuld not limit itself closely either as to time or locality. Pur- 

 chase should be undertaken in several localities at once, as in this 

 way competition can be induced. 



There should be no undue anxiety or haste to acquire land in any 

 particular locality. Haste would mean the fixing of too high a 

 standard of prices and result in waste of money, and besides would 

 certainly involve the Government in difficulty with respect to titles, 

 which in both regions present complications. The acquirement of 

 the necessary lands in either region can best be accomplished by a 

 steady process worked out through several years of purchasing those 

 lands which are desirable, which are offered at the most advantageous 

 rates, and to which valid title can be secured. 



The right to take lands under condemnation proceedings would 

 be helpful, especially, in some instances, to perfect title, but the 

 condemnation right must be handled with the greatest care and judg- 

 ment and should be used only to clear title and in other cases of 

 extreme necessity. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



In view of the conditions described on the foregoing pages; it is 

 clear that the Government should undertake without delay the 

 acquisition of a definitely restricted amount of land in specified 

 watersheds in the White Mountains and in the Southern Appalachians 

 for the establishment of national forests. 



In the White Mountains it is recommended that the Government 

 acquire an area of not to exceed 600,000 acres within the area desig- 

 nated on the accompanying map and so situated as to embrace as 

 much as possible of the Presidential, Franconia, Sandwich, and 

 Carter-Monah mountain ranges; that a limit of $6 per acre be fixed 

 as the average price to be paid for cut-over lands; that an appropria- 

 tion of $1,250,000 be made immediately available for such purchase: 

 furthermore, that $250,000 additional be appropriated for the pur- 

 chase of the timber in its present condition, surrounding the five 

 important recreation points described on page 30. 



in the Southern Appalachians it is recommended that areas aggre- 



fating not more than 5,000,000 acres be purchased within the limits 

 esignated on the accompanying map. and distributed, as may seem 

 advisable, over the higher watersheds oi the following rivers : Potomac, 

 James, Roanoke, Yadkin, Catawba, Broad, Saluda, Savannah, Chat- 

 tahoochee, Coosa, Tennessee, New, Cumberland, Kentucky, Monon- 

 gahela; that the limit of average price be fixed at $3.50 per acre; and 

 that an appropriation of $3,500,000 be made immediately available 

 to begin tJie purchases. 



It is recommended also that the Government adopt in both regions 

 a policy of cooperation with timberland owners m order to bring 

 about the protection of private forests from fire, and the general adop- 

 tion of improved methods of cutting. 



