29 



boys of this locality, for which I paid thirty cents per bushel. While 

 Ihese cones when dried did not turn out as large a quantity of seed 

 per bushel as some foresters estimate, from 114 bushels of cones I 

 cleaned 77 Ibs. of seed, ready for planting, averaging one pound of 

 seed to not quite every bushel and a half of cones. Counting total 

 cost of building screens on which to dry the cones, trays to catch the. 

 seed, and cost of cones, the price per pound was about |0.59. Allow- 

 ing that these screens and trays will last five years instead of one, 

 the cost would be reduced nearly one third. 



The crop of other desirable seeds in this region, excepting walnuts, 

 was a total failure in the year 1907. 



The cost of labor in our nurseries and upon reserves could be re- 

 duced considerably, I think, if the question of hiring labor could be 

 better adjusted than at present. Men are now employed only during 

 the busy season of the year. This is unsatisfactory, as a man ac- 

 cjuanted with the character of the work will do considerably more 

 than one who is not. Therefore, steady, industrious men, who are 

 quick to learn the work, are unwilling to be employed at a low wage 

 for a few months only in the year. When men can obtain work at 

 a higher wage even if it require their being away from home a great 

 part of the time, they will seek such work. On account of the in- 

 creased cost of living a man is unable to provide for a family on 

 an average of eight months' work a year with 16 to 18 days per 

 month, working only 145 to 150 days per year out of a possible 300 

 working days. Many of these men could be retained by giving them 

 every possible day's work the weather permits. This could be done 

 in opening necessary fire lanes, repairing roads, making improve- 

 ment cuttings, and doing other work. Thus by employing a regular 

 force, considerable more work could be done on the reserve with a 

 smaller force than in the present way, and it would keep desirable 

 labor in and about the reserve. 



DIVIDING THE RESERVES. 



LEWIS E. STALEY, Forester. 



The subject of dividing the reserves into ranges, blocks, compart- 

 ments, and sub-compartments is, without doubt, one which requires 

 much forethought and a careful study of actual conditions found in 

 the forest. Not alone must we be well acquainted with present con- 

 ditions, but past conditions should be known in so far as they are 



