308 UNITED STATES FOREST POLICY 



ditions. In 1910, the government appropriated several thousand 

 dollars for experiments and investigation of range conditions within 

 the national forests, and of methods of improving the range by re- 

 seeding, regulation of grazing, etc. ; and the work has been main- 

 tained ever since, $25,000 to $30,000 being appropriated annually 

 the past few years. These experiments relate to the more careful 

 determination of the grazing capacity of the ranges, the proper dis- 

 tribution of watering places in order to secure maximum efficiency 

 of the range, the effect of grazing on various trees and on fire danger, 

 the proper protection of land subject to erosion and floods, and the 

 possibility of reseeding ranges where the vegetation has once been 

 destroyed. There have also been some studies of poisonous plants, 

 and some in the construction of coyote-proof pastures, especially 

 for lambing." 



The main investigative work of the Forest Service, however, re- 

 lates not to range lands, but to forest lands proper, and this work 

 has in recent years expanded to cover a great variety of subjects, 

 included under three general heads — dendrology, silviculture, and 

 forest products. 



Dendrological studies, or studies concerning the distinguishing 

 characters and the geographic distribution of the different species 

 of North American trees and shrubs, were specifically provided for 

 in the appropriations of 1910, and every year since, a considerable 

 amount has been given for this purpose. These studies are carried on 

 by the dendrologist and his assistants at Washington, with such help 

 from the national forest officers as they may be able to give. 



SILVICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS 



Silvicultural investigations cover a great variety of important 

 studies, relating to forestation, forest influences, management of 

 forests, forest mensuration, and forest protection. Some of these 

 studies have been carried on for a great many years, but the work 

 received a great stimulus in 1908, with the establishment of the 

 experiment station at Flagstaff, Arizona. Since that time six other 

 experiment stations have been established, two in Colorado, and one 



9 Reports, Sec. of Agr., 1910, 402; 1911, 397; 1912, 524; 1916, 183: Report, 

 Forester, 1915, 31: Forest Circ. 156, 158, 160, 169: Forest Bui. 97. 



