MARKING RUIvKS FOR IDAHO AND MONTANA 673 



tation work, enforcing the application of pathological marking rules 

 and so far as practicable carrying out the operation of cutting the in- 

 fected unmerchantable trees. But there are certain factors which pre- 

 vent such a plan being executed, especially in the operation of felling 

 such trees. The cutting of these trees by Forest Service crews is prac- 

 ticable only up to the point where a large number of trees need to be 

 cut, and under such conditions it is undeniably cheaper to fell them at 

 the time of the logging operation, using the woods crews for the pur- 

 pose. Infected trees below the diameter limit and a small number of the 

 larger infected trees could be felled by the brush crews at odd times, 

 when brush burning is inadvisable or impossible, due to weather condi- 

 tions, providing such an operation were permissible under brush dis- 

 posal. The only drawback to a plan wherein the purchaser deposits a 

 sum to cover the cost and the Forest Service takes over the entire opera- 

 tion of cutting and disposing of unmerchantable infected trees is the 

 stipulation, under brush-disposal regulations, which apparently cannot 

 be made to include the cutting of standing trees. A portion of the 

 congressional act of August ii, 1916, referring to timber sales is as 

 follows : 



"That hereafter deposits may be received from timber purchasers 

 . to cover the cost to the United States of disposing of brush 

 and other debris resulting from the cutting operations in sales of 

 National Forest timber." 



If the term "debris" could be interpreted to include unmerchantable 

 infected standing trees, then the way would be clear, and the entire 

 operation of cutting these trees and disposing of them would be 

 absorbed by the brush-disposal work. Difficulties would also be met 

 with in cases where large numbers of infected trees were to be cut, and 

 the cost of carrying out a second cutting on the area would not be 

 justified. 



Apparently the use of a standard sanitation clause is the only method 

 which will fit in with the plan of the disposal with the brush of all cut 

 infected trees. This clause should specify the cutting of all trees marked 

 by the forest officer, and should deal particularly with unmerchantable 

 infected trees within the diameter limit, as well as those below the 

 diameter limit. It should be clearly understood that only those infected 

 trees considered dangerous to leave upon the area are to be cut under 

 this clause. In the appraisal the stumpage price can be reduced suffi- 

 ciently to cover the cost of felling such trees. The Forest Service in 

 this way ultimately pays for the sanitation measures put into efifect, 



