WHAT IS POTKXTIAL FOREST LAND? 651 



situation, however. Tracts which can be artifically forested or re- 

 forested at reasonable cost not only have the inherent qualities of forest 

 land, but in a majority of cases would ultimately be reforested 

 naturally. 



Turning to the National Forests, as distinguished from any other 

 forest land, a greater latitude is allowed. Congress has authorized their 

 reservation for the avowed purposes of producing timber and protect- 

 ing watersheds. In this dual purpose there is justification for holding 

 within them certain areas which are not even potentially suitable for 

 timber production, if they are clearly important for watershed protec- 

 tion. This is best expressed in the agreement between the Secretaries 

 of Agriculture and of the Interior, which defined in detail the kind of 

 land to be retained within the Forests, or to be added to them if author- 

 ity for additions could be secured. This, although of long standing, is 

 still in effect, and is so important that it is given in full : 



The President, 



The White House. 

 Sir: After having very carefully considered the matter of eHminations from 

 and additions to the National Forests, we respectfully recommend that the fol- 

 lowing general policy be adopted : 



1. Lands wholly or in part covered with brush or other undergrowth which 

 protects streamflow or checks erosion on the watershed of any stream important 

 to irrigation, water power, or to the water supply of any city, town or com- 

 munity, or open lands on which trees may be grown, should be retained within 

 the National Forests, unless their permanent value under cultivation is greater 

 than their value as a protective forest. 



2. Lands wholly or in part covered with timber or undergrowth, or cut-over 

 lands which are more valuable for the production of trees than for agricultural 

 crops, and lands densely stocked with young trees having a prospective value 

 greater than the value of the land for agricultural purposes, should be retained 

 within the National Forests. 



3. Lands not either wholly or in part covered with timber or undergrowth, 

 which are located above timber line within the Forest boundary or in small 

 bodies scattered through the Forest, making elimination impracticable, or limited 

 areas which are necessarily included for a proper administrative bcAtndary line, 

 should be retained within the National Forests. 



4. Lands not either wholly or in part covered with timber or undergrowth, 

 except as provided for in the preceding paragraphs, upon which it is not expected 

 to grow trees, should be eliminated from the National Forests. 



We have the honor to be. 

 Very respectfully. 



Your obedient servants, 

 (Sgd.) James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 

 (Sgd.) R. A. Ballinger, 



Secretary of the Interior. 



