250 COLLECTION OF STATISTICS. 



section of this chapter. Frequently, general maps of the area 

 are already available. If they are on a sufficiently large scale 

 and reliable, only the additional details, required for the 

 management of the forest, need be added. 



Section II. — Desceiption of each Wood, or Compart:\ient. 



The description of each wood, compartment, or other unit 

 of working, is of the first importance, because it gives informa- 

 tion, on which depends the whole management, viz. : — 



(1.) The selection of species to be grown in the future. 



(2.) The method of treatment of each wood and the deter- 

 mination of the rotation. 



(3.) The degree of ripeness of each wood. 



(4.) The yield capacity of each wood and of the whole 

 forest. 



The minuteness of the investigation depends on the value 

 of the forest and the intensity of management. Where these 

 are high, a detailed examination and record are called for ; 

 where the returns are likely to be small, or where the demand 

 is considerably below the possible yield, a summary procedure 

 may be indicated. The forester must in each case determine 

 the actual procedure, which he considers to be in keeping 

 with the interests of the owner of the forest. 



1. The Localit)/. 



By locality is understood the soil (and sulisoil) and the 

 climate, the latter depending on the situation. The agencies, 

 which are at work in the soil and the overlying air, determine 

 the yield capacity or quality of the locality. 



The details regarding locality in relation to forest vegetation 

 will be found in the third edition* of Volume II. of this Manual, 

 pages 7 — 51. From what has there been said, it will easily be 

 understood, that a description of the soil and climate must 

 form part of the basis, upon which a working plan rests. 



* All references to \'olunie II. are incanf for the fliird eililion of that volume. 



