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UNITED STATES CONSULAR REPORTS ON EUROPEAN FORESTRY. 



There is a great deal of useful information respecting European systems of 

 forestry contained in a volume entitled " Forestry in Europe," published at 

 Washington, Government Printing Office, 1887, from which the following extracts 

 have been made : 



COPY OF CIRCULAR. 



DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 



WASHINGTON, November 30, 1886. 



To the Consular Officers of the United States : 



GENTLEMEN : You are instructed to prepare a report covering the following 

 questions on Forest Culture and Forest Preservation. I would as/c you to devote 

 especial attention to the practical phases of the question, that your replies may 

 serve as a basis for framing forestry legislation in this country, where the 

 subject is of great and increasing importance. 



1. Areas under forests, distinguishing, where possible, between State and 

 private areas. 



2. Common forests, if any, and privileges of the population in them. If 

 pasture is permitted, how are the trees, etc., protected ? 



3. Organization and functions of government forest bureaus. 



4. Revenues from government forests, cost of maintaining or managing 

 forests ; profits of forest cultivation. 



5. Forest planting and culture; methods; bounties, if any; schools, their 

 organization and courses of study. 



6. Destruction of forests, causes and results 



7. Reclamation of sand dunes, or waste places by tree planting. 



8. Sources of lumber supply ; trade in lumber, bounties on importation, if 

 any, and customs duties. 



9. Give the names of three reliable sellers of seeds and shoots in your 

 district. 



10. Transmit to the Department copies and translations of the forest laws 

 of the district in which you reside. (The general laws should be forwarded by 

 the Consul-General ; the local laws, by the Consul.) 



I am, Gentlemen, 



Your Obedient Servant, 



JAMES D. PORTER, 



Assistant Secretary. 



