Forest Reservation Policy. 419 



and the Forestry Association, and especially for the 

 sale of timber, were hung on to this appropriation 

 clause. Under this act the reserves are still adminis- 

 tered. 



If the interior history of this bit of legislation were 

 revealed, it would probably appear that, not conception 

 of the importance of the subject, but the need for the 

 employment of a certain organized survey party in the 

 Geological Survey, was at the bottom of it. 



While this law had set aside one year, and a limited 

 sum, to accomplish the survey, this could not, of course, 

 be done, and hence appropriations were continued, and 

 the date for the segregation of the lands was deferred 

 sine die. For years this forest survey continued, giving 

 rise to magnificent volumes, issued from the Geological 

 Survey, describing the forest reservations a very use- 

 ful, educational piece of work, not at all contemplated 

 by the legislation for which not less than $1.5 million 

 have been expended. Some 77,000 square miles have 

 been surveyed and the end is not yet. 



Thus it happened, almost by accident, that finally the 

 aims of the reformers were realized, the appointment of 

 forest superintendents, rangers, etc., to take charge of 

 the forest reservations was secured, and rules and regu- 

 lations for their administration were formulated by the 

 Commissioner of the General Land Office, marking the 

 beginning of a settled policy on the part of the United 

 States government to take care of its long neglected 

 forest lands. 



Meanwhile, the Division of Forestr}' had continued 

 to bring together and distribute in the shape of reports, 

 bulletins, circulars, addresses and letters, such informa- 



