This act sold western timberland for $2.50 per acre in 160 acre blocks.
Land that was deemed "unfit for farming" was sold to those who
might want to "timber and stone" (logging and mining)
upon the land. The act was used by speculators who were able
to get great expanses declared "unfit for farming" allowing
them to increase their land holdings at minimal expense.
In theory the purchaser was to make affidavit that he was
entering the land exclusively for his own use and no association
was to enter more than 160 acres. In practice wealthy
companies fraudulently obtained title for up to twenty-thousand
acres by hiring men to enter 160 acre lots which were then
deeded to the company after a nominal compliance with the law.