STATE OF MAINE. IN SENATE, January 11, 1844. ORDERED: That three hundred copies of the foregoing Bill be printed for the use of the Legislature. JERE HASKELL, Secretary. REPORT. LAND OFFICE, DEC. 30, 1843. To the Governor and Executive Council of the State: By the existing laws the timber owned by the State in severalty, can be sold only in lots not exceeding seven hundred acres, at public auction, for ready money. Few can be found willing to purchase on those terms. The lots are too small in general to furnish a supply of timber for a team. The timber on the public land is seldom found in compact bodies, but is frequently widely scattered, and a mile square will seldom be found, the timber on which would not be more valuable connected with timber upon the adjacent lands. This must be apparent to all practical lumbermen acquainted with our forests. In 1842 three townships were offered in sections, at a minimum which was believed to be a moderate price, a small part of which was sold. The demand for lands on these terms seemed the present year to be very limited, and I did not think it advisable to attempt to force a sale at prices below what I deemed their true value, and I am well persuaded our timber lands cannot be sold for what they are really worth, under the present law. Several townships of the undivided lands were offered for sale in August last. Public notice of the sale was given, and a minimum price fixed. Only one township and two quarter townships were sold; viz., Township No. 6, range 15, at $1,26 1-2 per acre to Sam'l. Smith. One fifth of the purchase money has been received, and a lien reserved on land and timber to secure the residue. A |