48 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Adirondacks, will be readily accessible to a larger number of people than 

 any other forest region in the United States. 



A study of the Sierra forest reserve of California was undertaken two 

 years ago also in cooperation with the United States geological survey, 

 and is now coni])leted. 



Following the request of the Secretary of the Interior for reports on 

 technical forest matters, the effect of grazing and of forest tires was 

 investigated in twelve of the forest reserves. A study of the present 

 forest condition of Nebraska, and of the causes which led up to it was 

 begun and pushed far towards completion. 



The bureau is now conducting an investigation in the south to devise 

 conservative and practical methods for turpentine orcharding. Since 

 the maintenance of the naval stores industry is of great necessity in the 

 southern states, this investigation is one of the most important now being 

 carried on by the bureau. 



The importance of this investigation is very great. The purpose is to 

 dispense with the old destructive method of tapping long-leaf pine, a 

 method which will soon destroy these pine forests, and hence one of the 

 greatest industries of the south. A method of tapping has been devised 

 by which it is believed not only a superior and greater run of resin is 

 secured, but the tapping can be indefinitely continued without per- 

 manently damaging the trees. The new product of commercial rosin is 

 almost entirely of first-grade quality, while a higher percentage of tur- 

 pentine may also be derived. 



An important special investigation under way in this division is a study 

 of the phA'sical and chemical character of commercial woods with a view 

 to devising a practical method of increasing the durability of timbers 

 used in contact with soil and water. The investigation bears particu- 

 larly on railway construction timber. The fullest cooperation in supply- 

 ing ties and other railway timber, free transportation, and funds for the 

 experiments is being offered by many of the largest railroad companies 

 in the United States. 



FOREST EXHIBITS, 



This division has to do also with the preparation of forest exhibits. 

 The importance of these is coming to be greatly appreciated, not only 

 as a means of stimulating the many industries depending on forest sup- 

 plies, but more especially for the broad educational value these exhibits 

 have for the people. 



DEXDRO-CHEMICAL LABORATORY. 



A new line of work in forest chemistry which has been recently under- 

 taken by this division, is of the utmost practical importance to the investi- 

 gations of forestry-. This work is devoted to the study of forest products in 

 regard to their composition, their relation to the soil, and the products 

 which they can yield. When it is considered that many of the great 

 technical chemical industries of the country are intimately dependent 

 on forest products, the magnitude of this work is easily understood. 

 Among these great interests the tanning industry stands, perhaps, first, 

 followed closely by the industries devoted to the manufacture of wood 



