540 BOAED OF AGRICULTTTRE. 



Seasoning and preserving experiments are most adaptable to railroad 

 ties, telegraph and teleptione poles, fence posts, shingles, paving block, and 

 bridge timbers. These experiments are being carried on extensively at 

 present in co-opei-ation with the Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific, Santa 

 Fe and New York Central Railroads, and the American Telephone Com- 

 pany. Testing is being done in co-operation with Yale University, Purdue 

 University, University of California, and in the District of Columbia. 



Division of Forest Extension.— This division has to do with investiga- 

 tions that lead to a knowledge of the species most suitable for planting 

 on different soils and under different climatic conditions. 



The time and how to gather, preserve, test, germinate and plant tree 

 seeds, preparation of soil and how to grow and transplant seedlings are 

 also treated under this head. Also the study of the silvicultural char- 

 acteristics of the different species, especially their shade enduring quali- 

 ties, power of reproduction, susceptibility to injury by frost, storm, heat", 

 moisture, drought or insects, study of sand dunes and how to reforest 

 them, making planting plans for woodlot and shelter belts; study of ero- 

 sion and how to reclaim barren wastes that have been guUeyed by heavy ' 

 rains; study of trees best suited for planting along the banks of rivers 

 to hold the ground intact and prevent overflow. 



Study of trees most suitable to reclaim the arid region of the Central 

 West, and many other problems of less importance. 



The work now in progress that is under the direction of the Division 

 of Forest Extension is— 



Work on a large government nursery on San Gabriel Forest Reserve. 

 California; work on government nursery. Dismal River, Nebraska, and the 

 planting of many thousands of pine on the reserve at the same place. 

 These sand hills of Western Nebraska are too dry and barren for agri- 

 culture, but by an experiment made about fifteen years ago by what 

 was then the Division of Forestry, it has been proven that the western 

 yeljow pine (Pinuis Ponderosa) grows very well; from this knowledge a 

 reserve of two hundred thousand acres was set apart which is practically 

 destitute of trees. A portion of this will be planted to pine each year. 



Work is in progress on a government nursery on the Pike's Peak 

 Forest Reserve. A planting plan is in making for Griftett Park, Cali- 

 fornia. 



Planting plans are being made in co-operation with farmers in Towa 

 and Nebraska. Study of Chaparral in Soutliern Sierras. Study of tlie 

 results of forest planting in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota; 

 study of forest replacement in Nebraska, and study of reproduction pre- 

 paratory to forest planting in Salt I^ake Forest Reserve. 



The planting of the Middle West so far has been largely of post tim- 

 ber, such as Catalpas. Locust and Mulberry, and we must expect this to 

 continue among the farmers and railroads as it is from these only that 

 quick retui'ns can be received. The planting of forest trees in large 

 areas will be done mostly by the States and Nation. 



