404 ANNUAL REPORTS OP DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the data formerly collected and by publications. Field examina- 

 tions whore plnntinjij is intended are made only in exceptional cases, 

 where the work can be cheaply done in connection with woodlot 

 examinations or where data of distinct value to the service can be 

 secured. 



OTHER INVESTIGATIONS. 

 SILVICULTURAL AND DENDROLOGICAL STUDIES. 



During the year commercial tree studies of eastern white pine, 

 aspen, balsam fir, red spruce, Norway pine, and yellow poplar were 

 completed. The results of these studies will ap])ear as monographs 

 deahng with the range, silvicultural characteristics, growth, yield, 

 and management of each tree. Thus the study of the aspen, already 

 published, brings together for those interested in aspen lands the 

 most important facts regarding aspens, including the mdustrial uses 

 of the wood, the conditions under which the tree succeeds, the rate 

 of growth in difl'erent situations, the most suitable methods of man- 

 agement to secure increased returns, etc. Tables showing the vol- 

 umes of aspen trees of difl'erent sizes, in cubic feet and in cords, and 

 the number of trees required to make a cord are also given. 



An economic study was made of the species of wattles, or acacia, 

 most valuable for tanbark and timber. Many species have been 

 successfully cultivated in California from 20 to 50 years, none of 

 which, however, have been planted on the commercial scale which 

 their intrinsic value and their adaptation to large areas justify. 



The investigations in basket-willow culture were developed con- 

 siderably. Willows can best be grown as a secondary crop. The 

 land suited to them usually occurs as small areas, which are very 

 commonly parts of farms valuable in the main for the production of 

 other crops. Yet though a very insignificant fraction of the total 

 farm area may be suited to willow culture, its use for this purpose is 

 likely to mean a crop of high acreage value, obtained from land which 

 otherwise might yield almost no return. For this reason it is well 

 worth bringing to the attention of farmers, For a number of years 

 the Forest Service has been distributing willow cuttings to applicants, 

 with advice concerning the best cultural methods. 



From 100 to 200 cuttings of the standard varieties are given each 

 applicant. They are grown at the Arlington farm of the Department 

 of Agriculture, from imported stock; for hitherto European varieties 

 have furnisiied the material for fine basket making in the United 

 States. But to secure varieties suited to different regions in this 

 country it is desirable to discover or breed species or varieties not 

 now in use. With this object in view cuttings of practically all of 

 the native species of willow, and of a number of exotic species, are 

 being propagated at Arlington to obtain rods for a test of their suit- 

 ability for basket making. If necessary, the development by hybrid- 

 ization of new strains, better suited to American conditions than the 

 European varieties, will be undertaken. 



The cuttings distributed in 1911 totaled 84,800, of which 20,000 

 went to 40 agricultural experiment stations, 13,000 to forest schools, 

 30,000 for use in connection with cooperative w^ork with the State of 

 New Jersey, 20,000 to individuals, and 1,800 to botanical gardens. 

 The distribution included 46 States and Territories. The Forest Serv- 



