562 Forestry Quarterly. 



ifornia it is absolutely essential to have three-inch runners, and 

 a width of four inches would be better. The sleds can be re-shod 

 by any local blacksmith, although a hard maple runner, well 

 doped, is better than iron, steel or brass. Ordinary skis were 

 found very satisfactory as sled runners by one crew. 



The crew of six men covered forty-five and one-half sections 

 of vacant government land and mapped in addition fifty sections 

 of patented land. In other words, they worked over an area 

 14x16 miles in extent. One-half of the estimates and type and 

 topographic maps were also finished in the field. Throwing all 

 the cost of the work on the government land alone, the work 

 cost $34.37 per section or $.054 per acre. Five of the men were 

 receiving $91.66 per month and the sixth $100.00 per month. 

 Had we worked men getting the same salaries as the men for 

 summer work, the cost would have been $.032 per acre. 



Next winter, knowing conditions and being sure that the work 

 can be successfully done, we can reduce the figure of $.054 per 

 acre considerably. 



A word in closing. It is too early yet to give figures showing 

 the final cost of the work, since the notes on reproduction, ground 

 cover, humus, etc., must be obtained in the summer — preferably 

 by some member or members of the original crew. It has, how- 

 ever, been demonstrated that winter reconnaissance on webs is 

 entirely practicable in California — and, I think, anywhere where 

 there is a good fall of snow on the Pacific Slope. Then, too, it 

 can be done during the slack season when the District and other 

 Rangers are not pressed for time. It means that, if necessary 

 and advisable, the full summer force can be kept employed to 

 good advantage throughout the entire winter, and it means that 

 our reconnaissance work can be finished much sooner than other- 

 wise. 



In addition, the work can be done from tents, as was demon- 

 strated by another crew, which worked from tents entirely and 

 moved camp more often, although otherwise working under con- 

 ditions similar to those already described. 



On the whole, this is the finest, cleanest, most wholesome and 

 satisfactory work that I personally have done for some time. We 

 plan to continue it here in the future. 



