10 THE NATIONAL FOREST MANUAL. 



Working plans will be prepared first on Forests where the demand 

 for timber is great as compared with the supply, and 

 nrf prTpared. rests where large quantities of timber are evidently mature 

 and it is reasonably certain that sales can be made if 

 the proper data are secured. It may be advisable to prepare special 

 working plans for Forests on which large areas are in need of reforesta- 

 tion. Special grazing working j)lans may be prepared for Forests 

 where the use of forage resources is of importance. Special problems 

 in any other phase of Service work demanding careful study may 

 require the preparation of working plans. Where conditions on a 

 Forest differ widely, it may be advisable to cover only the part of a 

 Forest to which the special administrative urgency applies. 



Each working plan will outline the general management of the Forest 

 for a long period, usually a rotation in the recommen- 



Period of plan. , . , , * 



dations on timber cuttings, and the management in 

 detail for some such period as 10 or 15 years. 



The amount of detail in the working plan will depend upon the 

 Detail in lan value of the forest products concerned, the need for 



intensive methods, and the certainty or possibility of 

 large returns within the probable life of the plan. On Forests or parts 

 of Forests where the demand for timber equals or exceeds the amount 

 which can be cut with safety, the plan for silvicultural management 

 must be in much greater detail than where the demand is compara- 

 tively small. The requirements of detail in the different parts of the 

 plan and in different working units must be adjusted to the adminis- 

 trative needs of the Forest in all lines of work. 



When it has been decided to make a working plan, its essential 



features and the field work necessary should be out- 



lined at a conference between the officer who will 



have charge of the field work, the supervisor of the 

 Forest, the assistant district foresters concerned, and the district for- 

 ester at his discretion. It is particularly necessary that the general 

 system or systems of management be determined, and the methods 

 for determining the yield of each unit be decided upon. Plans may 

 then be made to secure the exact data needed and unnecessary work 

 eliminated. Slight modifications which do not necessitate reprinting 

 will, when necessary, be made in standard forms for these purposes. 

 The preliminary plan for the Forest and working plans already 

 prepared will form the basis for this discussion. 



Field data will in general be obtained by special parties, which as far 



as possible should consist of experienced men. Under 

 in?dSS? f btain " tms system the results will be more accurate and 



uniform, and there will be less interruption to the 

 regular Forest work and more rapid improvement in methods and 

 results. As far as possible, the data for all parts of the plan will be 

 collected at the same time, if necessary by specialists temporarily 

 assigned to the party. The data for planting or grazing features may 

 be collected independently when the need justifies it. The work will 

 be done under the direction of the supervisor, and advantage taken 

 of all assistance possible from his regular force, particularly men who 

 have had special training in reconnaissance work on the National 

 Forests. 



