Forestry Policy of Typical States-Pennsylvania

TL;DRAbstract

Before its settlement by white men Pennsylvania was practically covered by a dense forest growth.The few lakes and the river beds were almost the only portions which were unshaded from the direct rays of the sun.In this primeval forest the shade was dense enough to keep the soil constantly in a more or less moist condition, and the atmosphere during most of the year was at, or near, the point of saturation.Two hundred and eighty-six years have completely changed the appearance of the state's surface, and so reduced the timber supply that Pennsylvania has already long ceased to produce enough for her own wants.That so great a change should have taken place in so short a period is surprising, though it is easily accounted for.In order to encourage settlement of the country, land patents were granted by the state for the nominal sum of twenty-six and two-thirds cents an acre.It was not even necessary that the pur- chaser should be a settler.This condition of affairs continued until March

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