REPORT OF THE FORESTER. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Bureau op Forestry, 

 Washington, D. C, September 1, 1902. 



Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the work of 

 the Bureau of Forestry for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1902, 

 together with an outline of the plans for the work of the Bureau for 

 the current fiscal year. 



Respectfully, Gipford Pinchot, 



Forester. 

 Hon. James Wilson, Secretary. 



work of the year. 



Introduction. 



During its first year as a Bureau, tlie former Division of Forestry 

 has rapidly assumed the character and functions of its new position. 

 With the increased capacity to do its work, the Bureau has gained in 

 stability and effectiveness, and in the character and value of its 

 results. While from the lack of American foresters it yet falls below 

 a high standard of equipment in trained men, a larger proportion of 

 educated foresters than ever before was engaged in its work, both in 

 the office and in the field. The organization of work made possible 

 by the change from a Division to a Bureau has been of capital value 

 throughout the year. 



The progress of public interest in forestry during the year far more 

 than kept pace with the growth of the Bureau. The demands for 

 advice and assistance increase from month to month, and continue 

 to outstrip more and more the ability of the Bureau to meet them. 

 The time for the general introduction of practical forestry in the 

 United States is evidently at hand, provided only the necessary infor- 

 mation and assistance can be supplied. The inabilitj^ of the Bureau 

 of Forestry to meet this demand because of inadequate resources is 

 thus the most serious bar to the protection and perpetuation of our 

 forests. With the rapid extension of professional education in for- 

 estry, the need of the Bureau for trained foresters can next j'ear be 

 met more nearly than ever before. In view of the increasingly rapid 

 destruction of our forests, it is most fortunate that the imperative 

 demand for assistance in checking the loss is paralleled by the oppor- 

 tunity to supply the demand, if only the necessary resources in money 

 are made available. 



109 



