26 FIELD WORK [CH. 



This description of compartments and sub-compartments often 

 forms the bulkiest part of the whole working-plan report, 

 in which it is usually given as an Appendix. Its bulk, however, 

 will never exceed its importance, as it forms the foundation for 

 the whole enterprise, and will be found very valuable for future 

 reference. 



26. Description of compartments. 



This description of compartments will be drawn up in tabular 

 form, but will be written in narrative form under each heading. 

 The headings will be area, soil and situation, description of the 

 growing stock, and a column for remarks. Under description 

 of the growing stock, the composition, age, and condition of the 

 crop, will be given and an analysis and estimate of its contents. 

 The site quality, and the density may be also given. Under 

 remarks, notes will be made of any outstanding feature of each 

 crop, of any cultural operations that seem to be called for, and 

 suggestions regarding future treatment. There will of course be 

 considerable variations in the scope of these descriptions, 

 according to the extent of the area, the intensity of management, 

 the method of treatment, and the nature of the crop. 



27. Collection of statistical data. 



In order to collect all the information required for this detailed 

 description of sub-compartments it will be necessary to go all 

 over the ground very carefully, and to note all differences 

 occurring from point to point in the local conditions influencing 

 the growth of the crop, such as soil and aspect. It will be neces- 

 sary now to make careful note especially of the height-growth 

 as indicative of the quality of the soil, of the conditions con- 

 trolling regeneration, and of the cultural requirements of the 

 different species, of which the relative proportions will also be 

 recorded. The predominant age of each crop, the existence of 

 over-mature stock, and the relative proportions of each com- 

 ponent age-class should also be noted, together with the density 

 of stock in each part. 



In producing a working-plan it is the duty of the writer to 

 set forth and bring up to date all statistical data regarding the 



