286 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



REPOKT OF Till: FUKESTKY SECTION. 



Director R. S. Shaw. 



Dear Director Shaw: — I lierewith submit a brief report of the work 

 of the Section of Forestry for the year ending June 30, 1920. 



The experimental work in connection with the college sugar bush 

 was continued, particular attention being paid to the relation between 

 number of tap holes and yield of sap. More problems are arising in 

 connection with this work, such as utilization of sugar sand, staining 

 of the timber, etc., which are being taken up as rapidly as possible. 



A study of the rate of growth in diameter, height and volume of 

 forest plantations was begun during the year. This involved careful 

 measurements of selected plantations, among them being the plantation 

 established by Dr. Beal at Grayling. The study also involved the yield 

 of nuts and cordwood from chestnut and black walnut plantations in 

 the southern part of the State. Owing to the chestnut blight disease 

 in the East which has destroyed or injured many of these trees in that 

 region, Michigan growers have been obtaining a high price for the nuts, 

 and there is much interest in nut tree plantations. Much valuable data 

 was obtained in the course of this work and it is hoped to have a report 

 ready this fall. 



In connection with the forest nursery a considerable number of 

 foreign trees have been introduced through the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. A section of the nursery has been set aside as an 

 experimental plot to study their requirements, hardiness and rate of 

 growth. It is hoped to obtain a tree that will do well on sandy soil 

 and that will grow rapidly, particularly with a view to the fixation of 

 shifting sands. 



The basket willow plantations that were established a few years ago 

 near Spring Lake are being watched and give promise of success. 



Respectfully submitted. 



A. K. CHITTENDEN, 



Forester. 

 East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1920, 



