31 8 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



It begins with a review of Gustav Wex's researches on the rela- 

 tion of stream-flow to forests in Central Europe, and sets forth 

 the reasons why attention should be given to the preservation of 

 the forests of the United States. It then gives a brief account of 

 the history of forest administration in Europe and of the organi- 

 zation of the forestry service in France, Germany, India, and 

 Canada. This is followed by a chapter on the destructive effects 

 of fires, sheep husbandry and illegal timber cutting in the forest 

 reserves of the United States, and on the condition of the several 

 reserves. The committee then proceeds to outline a definite 

 system of national forest administration, including both tempo- 

 rary measures and a permanent organization. The disastrous 

 results of defective and conflicting forest laws are then com- 

 mented upon, and attention called to the desirability of establish- 

 ing additional national parks. A summary of the conclusions and 

 recommendations closes the report. 



The form of organization for the national forestry service 

 recommended by the committee was patterned after that of Ger- 

 many. It contemplated the formation of a separate forest bureau 

 in the Department of the Interior, the principal officers of which 

 were to be a director, an assistant director, and four inspectors. 

 These officers were to form an advisory board which would pass 

 on general matters relating to the forests. The actual care of 

 the forests was to be intrusted to a corps of foresters, assistants, 

 and rangers. The forest areas of the West were to be grouped 

 in four departments, each to be in charge of an inspector. 



All the officers above the grade of rangers were to be ap- 

 pointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, were to 

 hold office during good behavior, but to be subject to retirement 

 at the age of 64 years. 



Until a permanent corps could be organized, it was proposed 

 to form a temporary corps recruited mainly from graduates from 

 West Point. A portion of these officers were to be sent to 

 Europe to study in the forestry schools of France and Germany, 

 and it should be their duty on returning to America to organize 

 a forestry school in the United States for the instruction of the 



