8 FORESTRY ALMANAC 



methods of growing and cutting, the most desirable kinds of trees 

 under given conditions, the relation of forests to climate and the flow 

 of streams, and general sylvicultural experimentation. Experimental 

 stations are maintained at Amherst, Massachusetts; St. Paul, Min- 

 nesota; Asheville, North Carolina; Colorado Springs, Colorado; 

 Missoula, Montana; Stabler, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; 

 and Flagstaff, Arizona to carry on this work. The Forest Products 

 Laboratory at Madison, Wisconsin, is concerned with discovering the 

 most effective uses of wood, going into the chemical, mechanical and 

 physical properties and conducting general research into fields as yet 

 untouched. Studies of forest economics, statistics, imports and ex- 

 ports, taxation and economic problems involved with our timber 

 resources are made. 



Branch of Engineering 



Virtually all of the civil-engineering work with which the Forest 

 Service is concerned is concentrated in the hands of this branch. 

 Within the National Forests there are many streams their head- 

 waters protected by adequate timber growth that are suitable sites 

 for water power development. Their utilization is encouraged 

 although the government does not permit monopoly in any region or 

 permit the holding of sites without development. The engineering 

 branch administers all of the permits and easements issued for power 

 development prior to the passage of the Federal Water Power Act and 

 the creation of the Federal Power Commission. It cooperates with 

 the commission in making such studies and reports as are requested 

 by it. Road-building in the National Forests is being pushed to 

 the limits of the funds available, and already 6873 miles of roads have 

 been built. Trails now covering 10,675 miles have been put through 

 both for recreational and fire-fighting uses. The engineering branch 

 has charge of this work. It also has the work of making surveys and 

 maps needed by the Service, and any special engineering activities 

 are allotted to it. 



Branch of Public Relations 



Since the increase in the use of the National Forests for recrea- 

 tional purposes, their value as a national asset, and the necessity of 

 keeping fires out of them, require appreciation and cooperation on 



