18 



evident in many parts of the watershed that the former forest cover was much denser 

 than the present one and the change has been brought about by continued burning 

 and overgrazing. It is recommended that for the first three or four years planting 

 be confined to the most favorable situations, as follows: (1) North slopes, (2) areas 

 immediately surrounding the present forest stand, (3) small patches of aspen, (4) 

 the swales at the source of streams, and (5) strips on either side of small streams. 

 Douglas fir is recommended for most extensive planting, but experiments are to be 

 conducted with western yellow pine, lodgepole pine, and western larch, since it is 

 believed that these species will prove valuable in that region. A nursery has already 

 been established at Camp Steely, and seed beds will be planted during the coming 

 spring. 



Rangers' Nurseries. 



George W. Peavy has established two small rangers' nurseries in the Santa Barbara 

 Keserve. One of these is in the Santa Inez Valley, 23 miles from the city of Santa 

 Barbara and 8 miles by road from the San Marcos nursery station. It has an alti- 

 tude of 900 feet, and soil conditions are very favorable for successful nursery work. 

 The other nursery is located at rangers' headquarters, on Mono Creek, and is well 

 suited for nursery purposes. Since these nurseries are at low altitudes, it is planned 

 to experiment with some species of the eucalypts as well as with the conifers 

 commonly found in southern California. 



Planting- Stations. 



Semiannual reports from the men in charge of planting stations have been 

 received and indicate excellent progress in nursery work. On December 1, at the 

 six stations, there were 3,188,920 one-year-old and 1,456,900 two-year-old seedlings 

 and 898,860 transplants, making a total of all stock on hand at the stations, in round 

 numbers, of five and a half millions. 



Special Studies. 



The State geologist of North Carolina has applied to the Forest Service for assist- 

 ance in devising measures to prevent damage from shifting sands and from the 

 destructive action of the sea along the North Carolina coast. The damage from these 

 sources is increasing yearly, and it seems necessary that some action be taken by the 

 State very soon. An examination of portions of the coast will be begun during this 

 month by a representative of the Forest Service. It is expected that this investi- 

 gation will find some adequate and practical means of control, as well as indicate a 

 proper policy of action for the State. 



PUBLICATION AND EDUCATION. 



The resignation of Alfred Gaskill takes from the Forest Service one of its oldest 

 members. He entered the former Division of Forestry in 1899, and his services in 

 many directions were notable. 



Addresses on forest subjects were delivered at the following places in December: 

 Northwest Iowa Horticultural Society, Sioux City, Iowa, December 4; H. P. 



BAKER. 

 Agricultural Society of the Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, December 5 



W. C. CLOS. 



