A DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION FOR FORESTRY 

 LITERATURE 



By Clarence F. Korstiax 

 In Charge of Research, Forest Service, Ogden, Utah 



The need of a systematic and comprehensive scheme for the 

 classification of forestr\^ data and literature has been apparent for 

 some time at various experiment stations and district headquarters 

 of the U. S. Forest Service. At present, if a:ll of the available informa- 

 tion on any special subject is desired, a diligent search much be made 

 through the files and a great many books, bulletins, and circulars in 

 the library must be consulted. But if an adequate compilation system 

 were in eflFect, either a direct excerpt of the information desired or a 

 reference to its exact location could easily be found in a short time. 

 With a view toward eliminating the useless expenditure of energv 

 j:nd time and converting a chaotic imass of knowledge into a classified 

 and systematized arrangement, the following classification for for- 

 estry is suggested. 



Two general classification schemes^ have been proposed, but both 

 are inadequate to meet the needs of intensive specialization. A tenta- 

 tive outline was prepared early in 1915 after making a careful study 

 of all available source material. The preliminary draft was a modifica- 

 tion and expansion of the above-mentioned schemes and the filing 

 schemes used in the various branches and offices of the U. S. Forest 

 Service. The report of the committee of the conference of forest 

 schools on standardization of instruction in forestry- was also con- 

 sulted in determining the proper correlation of the various branches. 

 The scheme was submitted to a number of prominent professional 

 foresters and librarians, to whom the writer desires to make acknowl- 

 edgment for the many valuable suggestions and assistance rendered 

 by them. It is hoped that this classification may be improved through 

 systematic use as further advancement is made in the science. 



Since forestry is a natural science, the subject should be placed 



1 A Classification for Forestry Literature. Yale Forest School, Bulletin 1, 1912. 

 Detwiler, S. B., Teaching Students to Conserv^e Energ\\ Forestry Quarterly, 

 10,402^06,1912. 



2 Forestry Quarterly, 10, 341-394, 1912. 



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