DIVISION OP FORESTRY. 175 



remain practically nugatory so long as only inadequate means are at 

 its disposal. The result of the work of the Division as such has been 

 published in two special reports, in addition to the two previous 

 made by Dr. Hough, and in the annual reports of the Departmnet of 

 Agriculture. In addition to this collected information, many letters 

 of inquiry asking for instruction in regard to forestry matters find 

 replies through the medium of the Division. 



STATISTICAL INQUIRIES. 



It has become a recognized fact that incomplete, and, therefore, un- 

 reliable statistics are harmful rather than helpful. While good re- 

 sults in statistical work can be expected only from a large and well- 

 organized force of correspondents, conversant with and interested in 

 the subjects of inquiry, and with some certain benefit to themselves 

 resulting from their labor, the Forestry Division has not the means 

 to employ such a force. It may be added that in this country forestry 

 statistics are most difficult to obtain, both on account of the large 

 area of siDarsely-settled land and the lack of competent observers. 

 Even in such a country as Germany, so densely settled and well ad- 

 ministered as regards forests, a recent writer on the question of forest 

 statistical inquiries finds it necessary to say: 



" The Government lacks greatly a sure basis for the realization of the purposes of 

 its forests. "When deforestation may be admissible, where required, where it has 

 done damage, where reforestation is required and to what extent for the security of 

 agricultural conditions, are all questions for the answer of which the data are lack- 

 ing." 



Most of the statistical work, then, of the Forestry Division, and the 

 same will be true of other forest statistics, represents only an uncer- 

 tain approximation to the actual condition of afi:airs, 



A thorough statistical research in certain definite directions is a most 

 urgent necessity. _ First of all, it would seem desirable to locate the 

 timber domain still in the possession of the Government, and to de- 

 termine its value as a source of lumber, or its economical importance, 

 in order to furnish a basis for establishing a desirable policy in regard 

 to its disposal or maintenance. The condition and present extent of 

 the white-pine forests of the North should be ascertained as accurately 

 as possible. The need of such investigation into tliis, the most im- 

 portant branch of our lumber industry, is apparent from the many 

 expressions of lumbermen in their special papers. 



An attempt to ascertain approximately the extent and conditions of 

 the forest cover of the ISTorthwestern States has been instituted by this 

 Division by enlisting the school organizations of the States in the work. 

 By this means it was thought that while securing an intelligent force 

 of correspondents, the interest of the teacher in the cause of forestry 

 might at the same time be engaged. The invitation to such co-opera- 

 tion has been cheerfully accepted in most cases by the school authori- 

 ties. Whether by this means acceptable statistical results will be 

 obtained remains to be seen. One of the agents of the Division, Mr. 

 James Byars, of Covington, Tenn. , is engaged in an exhaustive statis- 

 tical research into the forest conditions and lumber resources of his 

 own State. 



A report on the dependence of railroad construction upon forest 

 supplies l)y Mr. M. G. Kern, of Saint Louis, agent of the Division, has 

 just been_ completed, giving in a number of Appendices important 

 practical information to railroad managers regarding i)ossible econo- 



