452 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



s^'stem of classification in cataloging. It may be desirable to also 

 have an author and a title catalog; but in compilation the classification 

 of knowledge by subjects is by far the most important. The object 

 sought in the compilation of forestry knowledge is to secure a direct 

 reference to all material of permanent value to the profession pertain- 

 ing to a given subject. As each topic and subtopic bears a designating 

 number, the exact 'location of any material in the compilation file is 

 shown by placing the proper number near the upper left-hand corner 

 of the page. In applying the outline in its most expanded form, the 

 most specific heading applicable to any given material is used. General 

 material under a given topic to which all of the subtopics are inap- 

 plicable will bear the designation of the main topic only. The guide 

 cards and folders in the vertical compilation file will bear both their 

 designating numbers and subjects. By using a combined decimal and 

 subject classification for the compilation file the card catalog is be- 

 lieved unnecessary and may be omitted. 



The regular Dewey decimal system of classification, with perhaps 

 a few minor changes, is suggested for use in classifying all auxiliary 

 subjects which have a fundamental relation to any of the various 

 branches of forestry. In the dassification of forestry material, that 

 part of the number to the left of the decimal may be omitted or re- 

 placed by a letter symbol and merely that part to the right used, as 

 is shown in the following scheme; but it will be necessary to use the 

 complete numbers of the auxiliary subjects, which is also desirable 

 in order to show their relation to the universe of knowledge. 



It seems very desirable for the profession as a whole to standard- 

 ize and adopt a uniform system of classification, to the numbers of 

 which more significance can be attached. It is freely admitted that it 

 is rather difficult to secure agreement within the profession relative 

 to the proper expansion as wfell as the logical arrangement of the 

 subject matter. In this connection, it is interesting to note that the 

 chief criticism of some was that the tentative outline was not suffi- 

 ciently expanded, while others contended that it was too detailed. 

 However, this is no serious disagreement, since those desiring a more 

 general scheme can use the detailed outline by merely selecting such of 

 the major captions as are desired. Now that our forestry terminology 

 has been standardized by a committee of the Society of American 

 Foresters, could not the same society do an excellent service to the 



