Tracts of timbered lands prior to February 14, 1923, granted to the State of Montana for educational purposes, from which the timber has been cut or removed pursuant to State laws, may, under such rules and regulations as the legislature of said State shall prescribe, be exchanged for other lands of like character and approximately of equal value, in private ownership, which exchanged land shall be subject to the same requirements and limitations to the end that the State may acquire holdings in reasonably compact form and reforesting be undertaken in an economic manner, anything in the enabling act of said State to the contrary notwithstanding.