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.