Adirondacks; and the counties of Delaware, Greene, Ulster, and Sul

livan, in the Catskills, except

1. Lands within the limits of any village or city, and

2. Lands not wild lands acquired by the State on foreclosure of mortgages made to loan commissioners.

The area of the Forest Preserve at this date is:

The increase in acreage, over that given in my last report, is due to purchases made during the year.

Of the total acreage in the Preserve, 1,296,852 acres are situated within the Adirondack Park, and 94,468 within the Catskill Park. The lands outside the parks have a total area of 128,979 acres, and each lot or parcel was acquired by the State through a tax sale. These outlying, scattered lands are located as follows:

THE JOHN BROWN FARM HOUSE.

By a deed of gift dated March 29, 1895, Henry Clews and wife conveyed to the people of New York the tract of Adirondack land situated in North Elba, Essex county, known as the John Brown Farm, and this deed was subsequently accepted by an Act of Legislature.

John Brown lived on this farm prior to his participation in the slavery war in Kansas, and his family were living there at the time

of his, raid at Harper's Ferry. After his death his body was brought there from Virginia for burial, in accordance with a request made by him shortly before his execution, which occurred at Charlestown, Va., December 2, 1859.

In 1870, an association of twenty persons was formed through the efforts of the late Kate Field, of Washington, D. C., for the purpose of purchasing and preserving the property, and the farm which had already been offered for sale was bought accordingly. Through its agent, Mr. Clews, the association transferred the property to the State.

The farm contains 243 acres, of which only 40 acres have been cleared; the remainder is covered by the forest. The two-story, unpainted farm house, built by John Brown in 1850, stands near the little enclosure in which his remains are buried.

As the care and custody of this propery devolves on the Forest Commission, a custodian was appointed who lives in the farm house. He receives no pay, but he has the use of the house and farm free of

rent.

As the house was built 57 years ago it needs repairing, and a failure to do this may incur a charge of neglect. I respectfully recommend that an item of $300 be inserted in the Supply Bill to provide for a proper care of this historic place.

Very respectfully,

ALBANY, December 31, 1906.

WILLIAM F. FOX.