FOREST SEEVICE. 373 



tions, largely unfavorable. The situation still calls for intensive 

 experiments to develop the best methods, from the standpoint of both 

 cost and results, applicable to each rer;ion. It also calls for the appli- 

 cation on a large scale of the methods demonstrated by experiment 

 to be successful. 



Intensive experiments must come first. Business prudence 

 requires the development of methods in detail, and reasonable cer- 

 tainty as to their results, before large sums are expended upon field 

 operations. In the least favorable regions, like the semiarid portions 

 or the Southwest, the work must be restricted for the present to small, 

 carefully conducted experiments, the result sought being reliable 

 information on how to proceed rather than the reforestation of many 

 acres. In the most favorable regions, as on the west slopes of the 

 Rocky Mountain and Cascade Ranges in the Northwest, the results 

 already obtained justif}^ operations upon a larger scale simultaneously 

 with continued intensive mvestigations. 



Broadly speaking, all of the reforestation work of the Service is 

 experimental in character. Even in the most favorable localities 

 further experience is needed to perfect the details of the methods now 

 employed and, in fact, to select the general method to be used in the 

 ultimate prosecution of the work from the standpoint of maximum 

 return for each dollar expended. The difterence in the policy fol- 

 lowed as between favorable and unfavorable regions is primarily as to 

 the scale of work. The better opportunities for success in the latter 

 case justif}' heavier expenditures m order to make a start upon the 

 enormous acreage of denuded land confronting us. The main volume 

 of work upon wliich available funds will be chiefly spent must therefore 

 be restricted to areas having the best soil and moisture conditions, where 

 assurances of success are most certain. As the work is extended into 

 each new region or Forest, following experimental results which are 

 sufficiently conclusive, the most favorable sites available will first be 

 chosen. After the possibilities and limitations of each method have 

 been ascertained by experience under the best conditions in each 

 locality, the work can be either intelligently extended or restricted. 



Within the conditions outlined watersheds used for municipal 

 supply or irrigation should continue to receive first consideration. 

 Large sums can not, however, be spent on such watersheds under any 

 considerable uncertainty as to the outcome; that is, before successful 

 methods have been perfected by experiment. It will be advisable, 

 furthermore, to conduct reforestation work simultaneously for the 

 primary object of producing timber w^here climatic and other factors 

 are particularly favorable. As far as possible such areas are being 

 selected with reference to (1) low cost of the work, (2) natural con- 

 ditions wliich insure rapid tree growth, and (3) urgent local need for 

 additional supplies of forest products. 



Prior to the fiscal year 1911 approximately 13,775 acres of National 

 Forest land were reforested by various methods. This work was 

 almost wholly of an intensive experimental character, conducted 

 under a great variety of conditions and including typical forest areas 

 in practically all of the Western States. Many of these experiments 

 accomplished little so far as the actual stocking of denuded areas is 

 concerned, but they were all of the utmost value in furnishing a basis 

 for future work. 



