FOREST SERVICE. 539 



Forests in the East, these studies are of immediate value to State 

 foresters and to ])rivate oAvners of timbedands and wood lots. 



Silvicultural studies necessarily involve the collection of a large 

 number of field data and tree measurements. Aside from their use 

 in the particuhu- study for which they are gathered, these data and 

 measurements, taken together, furnish material with which it is pos- 

 sible to establish laws and relationships of tree growth of the greatest 

 value to those having to do with the study or management of timber- 

 lands. During the year 18,500 forest measurements and data were 

 worked into 32 volume, 6 yield, 10 growth, and 430 stand tables, as 

 well as into miscellaneous tables of other kinds. In answer to in- 

 quiries from lumbermen and other timberland owners. State and 

 private foresters, and forest officers, 11,016 such tables were given out. 



A study made of the results of forest planting by private owners 

 in the northeastern States yielded valuable data on the amount 

 of planting that has been done, methods followed, cost, and rate 

 of growth and yield of the diiferent species planted. On the poorer 

 farm lands of the region forest planting is on the increase, and is 

 being given considerable impetus by State aid. The movement is 

 particularly noticeable in those States which contain, in the aggre- 

 gate, large areas unsuitable for agriculture. 



From data furnished for several years by volunteer observers 

 throughout the country a tree calendar was prepared show-ing the 

 time of leafing, ripening of fruit, falling of fruit, and falling of 

 leaves for 60 species, including native trees and a few of the common 

 exotics. 



The investigations in basket-willow culture were further developed 

 during the year. Experiments with both native and exotic willows 

 at the Arlington farm of the Department of Agriculture produced 

 several heretofore unknown varieties of exceptional promise. A 

 part of the experimental work was transferred to Ames, Iowa, since 

 it was found that Arlington was too far south for the best develop- 

 ment of many of the native species. The first of a series of experi- 

 ments in protecting river banks and lake shores from erosion by 

 planting basket willows was begim on the shore of Lake Erie. Here 

 the production of basket willows will be secondary to that of pro- 

 tecting valuable land from wave action. As in former years, willow 

 cuttings from the Arlington farm were distributed to applicants, with 

 advice concerning the best cultural methods. Approximately 80,500 

 cuttings were sent out, of which 20,000 went to agricultural experi- 

 ment stations, 4,500 to forest schools, 5,500 to Forest Service nur- 

 series, 30,000 for use in cooperative work in New Jersey, and 20,500 

 to individuals in 32 different States, 



Dendrological studies of the distinguishing structural characteris- 

 tics of important native trees, and of foreign woods for which in- 

 ferior substitutes are likely to be placed upon the American market, 

 yielded material on North American walnut and sycamore woods, 

 Circassian walnut, and greenheart, which has been prepared for pub- 

 lication. Similar studies of North American pine and elm woods, 

 true mahogany, rattan, and sandalwood were begun. In addition, 

 monographs were prepared on the structural characteristics of balsam 

 fir, red pine, and jnrk pine woods for use in silvicultural publications 

 dealing with these species. 



