Standardisation of Instruction. 357 



method of thinnings, and so on. In carrying on experiments it is 

 essential to designate the type in which the experiment is located. 

 In connection with the discussion of forest types there should also 

 be brought out the types of locality which are capable of sup- 

 porting definite forest types. The determination of such types 

 of locality is essential in reforestation work. 



The study of forest types should cover more or less the follow- 

 ing points : Definition of forest types ; factors determining forest 

 types ; permanent and temporary types ; identification of forest 

 types ; naming of types ; use of types in forestry. 



After the student has mastered the silvical characteristics of 

 stands, he should be taught how to describe a stand and a whole 

 forest, although this subject may be deferred to another course. 

 It is a difiicult matter to make a brief description of a forest and 

 present just those features which are of importance to the 

 forester. The student should be given constant practice in this 

 work throughout his course. The novice is apt merely to enume- 

 rate the species, or the types without bringing out those features 

 of proportion of species, size of trees, and relations of density, 

 quality of trees, growth, yield, and reproduction, needed to form 

 a judgment of the needs and possibilities of the forest for silvi- 

 cultural treatment. The foundation for forest description should 

 be laid in silvics, or, if a special course in forest geography is 

 given, in part at least in that connection and it should be followed 

 by additional instruction and practice as further points are 

 brought out in advance portions of silviculture and other courses. 



After the discussion of the principles of silvics, the silvical 

 characteristics of the individual species and of specific forest 

 types may follow. If, as has been suggested, the characteristics 

 of the species are considered in dendrology at the same time with 

 the study of their identification, it is essential that this part be 

 carefully co-ordinated with the course in silvics and those points 

 emphasized which are needed by the forester. In short the 

 forester's point of view must be held throughout, and the relation 

 of the facts to practical silviculture never lost sight of. 



The study of the individual forest types may be combined with 

 a study of the forest regions of the whole country. The country 

 may be subdivided into general regions ; the northern, southern, 

 hardwood, prairie. Rocky Mountain and Pacific. These are then 



