INTRODUCTORY. 247 



forest into a number of working units ; nor is it possible to 

 divide and allot the area to its several uses, without having 

 previously ascertained, what each part of the forest contains. 

 Again, the division and allotment of areas cannot be finally 

 arranged, until the method of treatment and the general lines 

 of management have been provisionally laid down. It is for 

 this reason, that the division and allotment have been placed 

 between the collection of statistics and the determination of 

 the method of treatment. 



The preparation of the special plans, enumerated in 

 Chapter V. of the Working Plan Eeport, differs so much 

 according to local conditions, that no general patterns can be 

 given. Some examples will be found in Appendices IV. 

 and V. 



At one time, it was the practice to prepare working plans of 

 high forests for long periods of time, even as much as a whole 

 rotation. Such a procedure is to be strongly deprecated, 

 because the conditions, which govern the working of a forest, 

 change from time to time. Although the general lines of 

 action must be determined for some time ahead, so as to 

 secure continuity of action, the detailed prescriptions for the 

 management should be laid down only for a short period, say, 

 10 or perhaps 20 years. This is especially desirable, where a 

 working plan is prepared for the first time, and where the 

 data, upon which it is based, are as yet incomplete. It is desir- 

 able, in such cases, to revise the existing arrangements in the 

 light of the experience gained during the actual working of 

 the forest for a limited period. 



