FOREST SERVICE. 383 



which have been thoroughly tested in North America. The planta- 

 tions of the two preceding years have proved successful on the rela- 

 tively good soils and with intensive cultivation. The main emphasis 

 is now being given to pit planting on the rougher ground where culti- 

 vation is not practicable. Experiments were conducted during the 

 last year with 14 species on the Angeles and Santa Barbara Forests, 

 and will be continued during the coming year on the same scale. 

 Small eucalyptus experiments were also begun on the Florida National 

 Forest. 



The experimental planting of maritime pine on sand dunes along 

 the Pacific Ocean in the Siuslaw National Forest, Oreg., was inaugu- 

 rated. Aside from the utilization of waste land it is important to 

 determine the possibilities of establishing forest cover on such areas 

 as a means of controlling shifting sand, which is a serious menace to 

 many Pacific coast harbors. 



Up to the present time the results on a large majority of the plan- 

 tations are satisfactory, with upward of 60 per cent of the plants in a 

 thrifty condition. On a large number of tracts over 90 per cent of 

 the seedlmgs have survived the first dry season and made satisfactory 

 {_,rowth. With the experience acquired it seems practicable to obtain 

 uniformly a stand of at least 80 per cent by this method on all but 

 the distinctly unfavorable sites. 



The cost of planting varied greatly with the size of the areas 

 planted, the cost of the stock, and the more or less intensive charac- 

 ter of the work. Small tracts were planted with jack pine in Kansas 

 and with white pine in Ai-kansas at a total cost of S4.75 and S5 per 

 acre, respectively. Sixty acres were pi; n ted with Sitka spruce, 

 yellow pine, and white pine in the Snoqualmie Forest, Wash., at a 

 total cost of S6.72 per acre. The average cost of this year's planting 

 was S19.56 per acre. The unit cost of this work must necessarily 

 remain high as long as it is conducted on a small scale, and largely 

 with a view to obtaining better knowledge through experiments rather 

 than primarily for the sake of the improvement of the specific area 

 planted. The cost will be materially decreased, however, as reduc- 

 tions are made in the cost of growing nursery stock. On a reason- 

 able scale of operations it should be feasible for the Service to do 

 much of its planting at a cost of $8 per acre, and to bring the average 

 below $12 per acre. 



Forest Investigations. 



Both experimental and general studies were conducted to obtain 

 a better scientific basis for National Forest management. These 

 studies also develop the knowledge needed for the practice of forestry 

 generally on western timberlands. 



Experimental studies of an intensive character were conducted 

 almost exclusively at the Fremont, Wagon Wheel Gap, and Fort 

 Valley Experiment Stations. Because of the im])ortance of the 

 reforestation work of the Service, the experiments were directed 

 chiefly to this problem. Aside from tests of a wide range of methods 

 in seed extraction, direct seeding, nursery work, and field planting, 

 studies in tree breeding and the factors governing production antl 

 fertility of tree seed have been inaugurated. These cover the eflects 

 of altitude, precipitation, and soil upon seed, and the adaptability 

 of seed to diflerent conditions from those under which it was pro- 



