FORESTRY INVESTIGATIONS U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



on its bottom end, and after having ascertained and marked the north and south line on toj> end. Split the disk 

 with a sharp hacking knife and mallet along this line. Split from outside of the west half of the disk enough wood 

 to leave a prism 4 inches thick. Split from the east half two wedges with one plane in the south-north lino and with 

 their wedge ]ine through the heart of the disk; the outer arc to bo about 4 inches. 



Mark each piece as split oft' on top side with number of the tree (Arabic), the serial number (Roman) of the 

 disk in the tree, beginning with No. 1 at butt log, and with a distinct N or S, the north or south position of the 

 piece as in the tree. 



Write the same data on a card and tack it to the piece to which they belong. Whenever disk pieces are small 

 enough for mailing, leave them entire. Whenever they can not be shipped by mail, leave disks entire, wrap in paper, 

 and ship by express. 



(7) Weigh each piece and record weight in notebook, using the same marks as appear on the pieces. 



(8) Wrap each piece in two sheets of heavy wrapping paper and tie securely. 



(9) Mark on the newly cut bottom end of each log with a heavy pencil a north and south line, writing N on 

 the north and S on the smith side of the log, large and distinct. Also mark centrally with an Arabic number on 

 each log the number of the tree in the series, and with a distinct Roman number the serial number of the log in the 

 tree, counting the butt log as first. 



Tack to the butt end of each log securely a card (centrally), on which is written name of tree, species, locality 

 from which tree is taken, denoted by the letter corresponding to that used in the notebook, number of tree, and 

 section. This card or tag is intended to insure a record of each log in addition to the marl. ing already made. 



(10) JAmb wood. Having, as before noted, selected a limb, measured and recorded its distance from the butt 

 and position on the trunk, and marked its lower side and sawed it oft' close to the latter, now take a disk (i inches 

 long from the butt end and others every 5 feet up to 2-inch diameter at the top. Number these consecutively with 

 Roman number, calling the butt disk No. 1. Note by letters L and U the lower and upper side, as the limb appeared 

 on the tree, and place the (Arabic) number of tree from which the limb came on each. Enforce the record by cards 

 containing the same information, as done in case of other disk pieces. 



Weigh and wrap and mail in the same manner as the other pieces. 



(11) Check trees. From the "check tree," which is to be the very best to be found, only three disks or three 

 logs are to be secured, from the butt, middle, and top part of the tree Absolutely clear timber, free from all knots 

 and blemishes, is to be chosen. The disk pieces are to be of the same size, and to be secured in the same manner as 

 those described before; the logs to bo not necessarily more than (i feet; less if not enough clear timber can be found. 



Note the position of each piece 

 in the tree by measuring from the butt 

 out to the butt end of the piece. 



Prepare and mark all pieces in 

 the same manner as those from other 

 trees, adding, however, to each piece 

 a x mark to denote it as coming from 

 the "check tree." 



(12) Yoiinff tree*. Select six trees 

 from each site approximately of fol- 

 lowing sizes: Two, 6-inch diameter, 

 breast high; two, 4-inch diameter, 

 breast high; two, 2-inch diameter, 

 breast high. Mark north and smith 

 sides and chop or saw all close to the 



ground and cut each tree into following lengths: First. stick, 2 feet long; second stick, 4 feet long; the remaining 

 cuts 4 feet long up to a top end diameter of about 1 inch. Cut from the basal end of each log a disk 6 inches long. 

 .Mark and ticket butt end of each log as in case of large trees. Mark a north and south line on to/> end of each 

 disk, with N and S at extremities to denote north and south sides; and also ticket with same data as given on 

 large disk pieces. Weigh and wrap as before. Of these trees only the disk pieces are to be mailed. 



F. SHIPPING TEST PIECES. 



Ship all pieces without delay. To each log tack securely a shipping card (furnished), so as to cover the marking 

 tag. The logs will go to J. B. Johnson, St. Louis, Mo. The disks and other pieces are to be mailed to F. Roth, Ann 

 Arbor, Mich., using franks, securely pasted, for mailing, unless, as noted before, they must be sent by express. 



Mail at once to the above addresses notice of each shipment, and a transcript of notes and full description to 

 this office, from which copies will be forwarded to the recipients of the test pieces. 



If free transportation is obtained from the railroad companies, special additional instructions will be given 

 under this head. 



(!. ItECOKDS. 



Careful and accurate records are most essential to secure the success of this work, A set of specially prepared 

 record sheets will be furnished, with instructions for their use. A transcript of the record must be sent to this oflice 

 at the time of making shipment ; also such notes as may seem desirable to complete the record and to give additional 

 explanations in regard to the record and suggestions respecting the work of collecting. Original records and notes 

 miisi be preserved, to avoid loss in transmission by mail. 



