356 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



these forest problems, should be published and distrib- 

 uted for the benefit of all therein, as the Bureau sees 

 it, lies its province, its duty, and its great opportunity 

 for usefulness. Under this policy, the Division became 

 a Bureau. Above all, it is the policy under which it 

 has been able to attack effectively the forest problem 

 in all its parts. 



Since its reorganization, the Bureau of Forestry has 

 directed its earnest and constant endeavor along these 

 four main lines : 



First. It cooperates by practical assistance and 

 advice in forest work which not only benefits individual 

 cooperators but is of help to many others. 



Second. It attacks, independently, those urgent for- 

 est problems whose solution by private enterprise is 

 impossible, and thus becomes a national duty. 



Third. It renders all assistance within its power in 

 the best use of the federal forest lands ; and finally, 



Fourth. It publishes and distributes the results of 

 its investigations for the benefit of all. 



The cooperative work of the Bureau began in Octo- 

 ber, 1898, with the offer of assistance to private owners 

 in the handling of their own lands. From this begin- 

 ning it has broadened as the direct result of an insistent 

 demand, until it now offers assistance not only in the 

 preparation of working plans, but also in tree-planting, 

 either for commercial purposes or for protection, and 

 in discovering the most conservative and profitable 

 methods for the use of the products of the forest. The 

 cooperative state forest studies, which offer a great 

 and increasing field for usefulness, have also grown 

 out of the policy of the Bureau's cooperation with 

 private owners. 



The cooperative work in all its branches has had two 

 important and tangible results : Not only has it brought 



