AMERICAN FORESTRY 



problem. In cruising Government tim- 

 ber a rough estimate and map of the 

 private timber is often obtained. This 

 estimate is of use to give an idea of 

 what proportion of a given watershed 

 or other unit is privately owned and 

 what is publicly owned. By mapping 

 in the alienated lands a more complete 

 and effective map is secured for the pur- 

 poses of fire control. Reconnaissance 

 may locate areas especially adapted to 

 free-use purposes. It may help to dis- 

 cover timber trespass or it may show 

 along what section lines timber tres- 

 passes are likely to occur when cutting 

 on private lands takes place. 



Often silvicultural notes of value are 

 obtained and problems suggested to men 

 doing reconnaissance. It is an excel- 

 lent opportuity to make observations on 

 seed crops. Even the most casual ob- 

 server can not help making some obser- 

 vations on the silvicultural character- 

 istics of the different species, and the 

 composition and classification of the 

 forest types. No better opportunity 

 could present itself for a study and ob- 

 servations on the altitudinal distribution 

 of the various species. It is also an 

 excellent opportunity to study type 

 changes; the struggle between the dif- 

 ferent species in trying to occupy the 

 same sites. Numerous silvicultural 

 problems have suggested themselves to 

 men engaged in reconnaissance. While 

 the information and notes gathered on 

 these problems may be of little technical 

 value, they at least serve as a working 

 basis for future and more detailed 

 studies. Dendrological observations are 

 often made in connection with recon- 

 naissance, and it has happened that new 

 species and new varieties have been 

 found by reconnaissance men. 



I'OKKST PROTECTION. 



Probably the most tangible and the 

 most direct result of reconnaissance 

 from the standpoint of fire protection 

 is the fact that the reconnaissance crew, 

 usually of from five to ten men. can be 

 used in case of an emergency as a fire- 

 fighting force. The fundamental idea 

 in locating the crews is of course to put 

 them where there is timber in need of 

 estimating. Whenever there is a choice, 



however, they are sent to regions of 

 particular fire hazard. It usually fol- 

 lows that where there is heavy timber 

 worth estimating for future sales, there 

 is also need for protecting this timber 

 on account of its value. 



The topographic and type map are of 

 great value in preparing a Forest Pro- 

 tection Plan. The topographical fea- 

 tures, such as mountains, ridges, peaks, 

 valleys, and flats are shown, and areas 

 of young growth are located. The loca- 



A RECONNAISSANCE CAMP IN BIG YEL- 

 LOW PINE TIMBER, LASSEN RECON- 

 NAISSANCE IN 1911. 



tion of water courses, roads, trails, tele- 

 phone lines, fire lines, railroads, saw- 

 mills, and ranches is also of consider- 

 able value. Such a map with its tim- 

 ber estimate shows at a glance where 

 the valuable property is and where the 

 areas of greatest fire hazard are. With 

 such data as this to work with, the mat- 

 ter of dividing the forest into protection 

 units, of assigning patrolmen, and of 

 establishing lookouts is simplified con- 



