1084 A NATIONAL PLAN FOR AMERICAN FORESTRY 



total force of 4,444 local field workers (as of June 30, 1931), including 

 county agricultural agents, home demonstration agents, and 4-H club 

 leaders. Not all of this group in the States has carried on forestry 

 work; the number, however, is increasing yearly. During 1931, 878 

 county agents participated in forestry activities in 46 States, 31 home 

 agents in 7 States, and 95 4-H club agents in 16 States a total of 

 1,004 extension agents. 



RESULTS 



To assist in the profitable management of farm woodlands and 

 reforestation of unused farm lands constitutes the task undertaken by 

 the State extension services in cooperating with the Federal extension 

 service. Since July 1, 1925, when farm forestry funds under section 5 

 of the Clarke-McNary law became available, definite progress has 

 been made yearly. Table 10 presents statistics of accomplishment. 

 It shows that the total number of farms that had adopted improved 

 practices in 1926 was 10,074. In 1929 the number had more than 

 doubled. The same trend of progress is indicated in practically every 

 other phase of the extension forestry work. 



The planting of forest trees on farms continues to be one of the 

 most popular phases of extension forestry. Approximately 26 million 

 forest trees were distributed to farmers during 1930 by the State 

 forest nurseries and 25 % million in 1931. A large percentage of the 

 trees distributed were planted under the direction of the State exten- 

 sion foresters and county agents. In the prairie and plains States the 

 planting of trees for wind-breaks and shelter belts is meeting the 

 problem of providing protection for farmsteads. In the Eastern and 

 Southern States planting is done mainly for the control of erosion and 

 the production of timber products such as fence posts, poles, pulpwood 

 and sawlogs. Planting of forest trees on idle farm lands not needed 

 for agricultural purposes is gaining increased attention in those States 

 having marginal land problems. 



