FOREST PLANS. 11 



Forest officers in charge of working-plan parties should use wide 



discretion in the data which are to be obtained. Data 



obtalLd ata needed which can not be used for some definite purpose should 



not be secured, and every effort should be made to 



obtain all data which will be needed. 



As far as possible all data in the working plan report will be tabu- 

 lated with brief notes of necessary explanation. While 

 data bulation of working plans must be complete, every possible effort 

 will be made to eliminate unnecessary discussion and 

 to put them in concise form. All detailed data relating to climate, 

 geology, soil, growth studies, silvical notes, etc., should be placed in 

 the appendix of the working plan, and everything in the plan subor- 

 dinated to the actual scheme of management for the Forest. 



All working plans will be referred to the office of silviculture in 

 the districts and the branch of silviculture in Wash- 

 0f in g ton for tne proper correlation of the parts. In 

 each case the approval of the offices and branches in 

 charge of the phase of the work under consideration will be secured. 

 \Vorking plans will be approved by the Forester. Changes not 

 A rovaiof lans a ^ ec ^ m the general policy or the broad features w r i 11 

 be approved by the district forester, with reference 

 to the Forester of any points necessary under the administrative 

 instructions. 



The general ground to be covered by working plans is as follows: 

 Under " General administration' 7 the topics listed for preliminary 

 General adminis- plans should be discussed with such further detail as 



more intensive study makes possible. 



Under *' Silvicultural management " the topics listed for preliminary 

 plans should be developed with much greater accuracy 

 and in much greater detail. Special points will be 

 emphasized and special data obtained in accordance 

 with the administrative needs of the Forest. 



To secure uniform data from the National Forests in each district, 

 the district forester will decide upon standard field 

 methods. Standardization will include: 



1. Methods of making estimates under specified 

 conditions to secure results of uniform accuracy. 



'2. The unit for recording estimates in both surveyed and unsur- 

 veyed ground. 



3. The minimum sizes to which timber will be estimated and a 

 method of classifying reproduction and young timber below this 

 minimum. 



4. A scale for field and base maps and the conditions under which 

 contour or hachure maps will be made. 



5. The form and character of notes on silvicultural questions, 

 forest descriptions, etc. 



6. The principles upon which the silvicultural S3'stem, the rotation, 

 the period for which management will be planned in detail, etc. 



In each district also, to insure reasonable uniformity under similar 

 conditions, a careful study will be made of the methods of determining 

 the limitation of annual cut under each silvicultural system which will 

 be used, and standard methods established. 



