Conservation Commission 109 



the time of its acquisition was largely forest land, purchased to 

 secure a supply of charcoal for the iron manufacturing industry, 

 which was then conducted by the prison. These lands lie on the 

 northeastern slope of the Adirondacks ; a large portion of the tract 

 is somewhat mountainous, and its topography is typical of the 

 Adirondack foothills. The tract consists of thirteen thousand five 

 hundred acres, nearly all of which is situated in three large 

 parcels. 



The forest growth consists of a mixture of spruce Avith beech, 

 birch and maple. There are large areas which had been burned 

 over by fire; and, in some instances, have been restocked with 

 growths of young poplar. 



The boundaries of the premises were not fully determined ; the 

 lands were subject to trespass, and were in some cases occupied. 

 A search for the exterior lines was made and in most instances 

 the bounds were located. The various trespasses which occurred 

 were measured, value computed, evidence secured, the facts sub- 

 mitted to the Attorney-General, and actions brought. The 

 western boundary of this tract has been in dispute for some years. 

 A very careful analysis of the history of the land grants, subse- 

 quent conveyances, and various surveys has been made, and as a 

 result we determined that the western line, as claimed by adja- 

 cent owners, was not correct, and an extended survey is being 

 made at this time to correctly locate this boundary. This dispute 

 involves the ownership of approximately two thousand acres of 

 land, from a, portion of which the timber has been cut recently. 

 The result of this survey will be a large trespass which will also 

 be referred to the Attorney-General for action. 



Owing to the large area of forest land which required attention, 

 the then superintendent of prisons employed a forester who has 

 been carrying out the plans formulated by this Commission. 



The question of management and utilization of the forest growth 

 upon this tract is of great importance. A reconnaissance of the 

 tract showed that there were large quantities of fire killed and 

 down timber which must be removed. The amount was so great 

 that the State could not handle it itself. Furthermore, owing "o 

 the fact that nearlv all of this had been killed by the fires of 1908, 



