In the short time that has been given to this work, up to the date of
closing, remarkable progress has been made, as the following statement
shows:—
(1)—Careful estimates of timber were made of 14 tracts, in the
vicinity, ranging in size from 2 to 26 acres each.
(2)—Various satisfactory interviews were obtained with the timber
owners, and in this connection, it was found that there has been much
change in the sentiment of owners, favorable to a rapid disposal of
blighted chestnut.
(3)—All local timber operators were interviewed.
(4)—It was found that the owners themselves could use a large amount of
their own timber for fencing.
(5)—Lists of buyers of chestnut products were obtained at West Chester,
Downingtown and vicinity, and along the Pennsylvania Railroad main line.
(6)—After getting the confidence of timber owners, they were quite
willing to place the disposal of their chestnut wholly in the hands of
Commission employees.
(7)—One thousand ties were sold to a street railway company, and orders
were expected for 5,000 more.
(8)—Arrangements were made for installing a saw mill in the area.
(9)—At the time of closing the work, efforts were being made to obtain
20,000 poles for a firm in New Jersey.