470 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUliE. 



tinct handicap, since it prevents an ori^anization of sufficient elas- 

 ticity to meet special and changing conditions in the best manner. 



The results of careful organization of the protective force have 

 been remarkable. Over and over again the men have been put to 

 the test and met it with great credit. Careful planning, a closely co- 

 ordinated organization of alert, capable rangers, and proper equip- 

 ment for figlitin^^ fires have resulted in the ability to mobilize with 

 great swiftness tlie necessary force to attack fire. With more trails 

 and telephone lines and with sufficient funds to employ a larger force 

 of guards where needed, under the special conditions of the season, the 

 forests could be rendered very safe. Until these are provided the 

 organization must be considered incomplete and the hazard of dan- 

 gerous fires still uncomfortably great. 



Special attention was also given during the year to the organiza- 

 tion of the investigative work of the service. The broad and varied 

 field covered by investigations, carried constantly into greater detail, 

 necessitates a careful coordination of the various scientific activities 

 of the service, in order to insure the utilization of all available knowl- 

 edge and facilities for each project, to correlate all projects, prevent 

 duplication, and to provide for taking the most important problems 

 first and in the right way. These objects have been secured by con- 

 stituting a central committee on investigative work, composed of one 

 man from each of the three branches of silviculture, grazing, and prod- 

 ucts. This committee, supplemented by similar committees in the six 

 districts, acts in an advisory capacity to the Forester in reviewing 

 all scientific projects in advance, with reference to their practical 

 purpose, relative need, cost, the avoidance of duplication, etc. The 

 plan has resulted in very greatly increasing the efficiency and reduc- 

 ing the cost of the investigative work. 



The plan of concentrating certain phases of the research work at 

 laboratories and permanent experimental headquarters has been 

 continued. Many problems requiring repeated and careful observa- 

 tions can not be conducted except through permanent stations. 

 Already such stations exist on the Coconino, Pike, and Rio Grande 

 National Forests. During the year two new stations were estab- 

 lished — the Priest River Station, on the Kaniksu National Forest, in 

 Idaho, and the Feather River Station, on the Plumas National Forest, 

 in California. A third, the Utah Station, on the Manti National 

 Forest, in Utah, was established after the close of the year. The 

 Forest Service has also undertaken cooperative experimental work 

 with the State of Minnesota at the Cloquet Forest Experimental 

 Station, at Cloquet, Minn. This will secure information applicable to 

 the management of the national forests in Minnesota and Michigan. 



As is natural in any large organization, personnel changes are 

 numerous. One of the most serious personnel problems is that 

 created by the loss of experienced and valuable men who leave the 

 service to accept more lucrative positions. During the year 23 

 experienced and well-trained men, holding positions of large re- 

 sponsibility, left the service for pecuniary reasons. This does not 

 include the losses for the same reason among the rangers. 



