EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 103 



posals covering over 1,250,000 acres had been received, over 170,000 

 acres had been examined, and the purchase of 31,377 acres had been 

 authorized. The fiscal year 1912 opened with 35 examiners at work, 

 and with every indication that during the year land enough will 

 have been covered to afford a basis for recommendations of purchase 

 up to the limit of the $2,000,000 appropriation made available by 

 the law. 



INVESTIGATIONS. 



Much of the investigative work of the Forest Service has already 

 been touched upon in describing the administrative work, particu- 

 larly as regards the study of problems which relate to forest manage- 

 ment (including reforestation) and range management on the 

 National Forests. The timber and range reconnoissances which are 

 being carried forward on an extensive scale are investigations to 

 obtain data indispensable for the intelligent utilization and conserva- 

 tion of the productive power of the Forests. Besides the studies 

 of methods of direct seeding, nursery practice, and field planting, 

 which have formed a large part of the reforestation work, the sub- 

 jects of seed production, seed fertility, methods of storage, and 

 heredity of desirable and undesirable qualities have been under in- 

 vestigation, as well as that of the effect upon reproduction of differ^, 

 ent methods of disposing of slash, and of different methods of graz- 

 ing control. At the three forest experiment stations which have been 

 established in Colorado and Arizona, careful studies of forest in- 

 fluences, including the effects of forests upon stream flow, and of cli- 

 matic requirements of different forest types have been conducted. 

 Research work in forestry is just as essential to securing the best use 

 of our forest lands as is research work in other branches of scientific 

 agriculture to tlie best use of our farm lands. Unless this work is 

 prosecuted vigorously and along many lines, progress in developing 

 better methods of handling the Forests will be severely handicapped. 

 It has been necessary, however, to reduce the investigative work to a 

 minimum during the year in order to provide for the immediately 

 pressing necessities of protection and use. The present appropria- 

 tion compels curtailment of activities along all other lines in the effort 

 to keep fires down and transact current business. That is, to a certain 

 extent, a sacrifice of future to present Avelfare is a fact which must be 

 frankly recognized. 



Forest investigations are also conducted in the interest of improved 

 use of the forest resources of the country which are in private owner- 

 ship and to aid the various States in inaugurating and developing 

 wise forest policies. Forest studies conducted with these ends in 

 view were continued in all parts of the country. Effort was espe- 

 cially directed toward the promotion of practical forestry among 



