APPENDIX
the incentive of the example set before them, have themselves raised moneys and proceeded to improve their highways. Thus, in Bensalem Township, in the County of Bucks, where the state constructed three miles of the road, the township has added ten miles more, constructed in accordance with the regulations of the department and under the supervision of the commissioner of highways. No such important work has been undertaken by the commonwealth for many years. It means much for the practical welfare of the whole people. It ought to be pushed forward thoroughly and energetically. Owing to the lack of knowledge, upon the part of contractors, township and county officials, of the kinds of material necessary, methods of construction, and plans of proceeding, personal attention by a representative of the department is in most cases required. A larger force would seem to be demanded in this department in order that the accomplishment of its objects may not be retarded.
The state now owns 544,958 acres of land for forestry reservation purposes, and is under contract to purchase 154,863 acres more, making a total of 699,821 acres. While it is continually adding to its purchases for this purpose, it is by a strange anomaly also continually making sales of lands at a merely nominal price under old acts which have never been repealed, relating to the disposition of unseated lands. This legislation came into existence in the early days of the province and state when land was plenteous and inhabitants were few, and was intended to encourage settlements by offering inducements to all comers. That condition of things has long passed away and the legislation has been taken advantage of in order to get possession of valuable tracts of mineral lands and other property without an equivalent consideration. I recommend that legislation be at once enacted that the Board of Property dispose of no lands belonging to the state until they have been first examined by the commissioner of forestry to ascertain whether they are adapted for forestry purposes, and if found to be so fitted that they be retained for these purposes, and that when lands are sold by the Board of Property they be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. The forestry lands constitute a large domain and since they have been purchased means ought to be taken for their preservation and proper utilization. The only use to which they have heretofore been put, apart from the cultivation of the trees, has been an occasional lease for mining minerals and the tuberculosis camp at Mont Alto, where twenty-two patients are given the opportunity for outdoor life with, I am
informed, marked success. The efforts for the preservation of