FOREST EXTENSION. 

 POLICY. 



Reforestation, under methods demonstrated by successful experi- 

 ments, is one of the most important duties of the 

 Forest Service and forms a part of the regular work on 

 each National Forest where it is undertaken, coordinate with timber 

 sales, grazing, or permanent improvements. While special instruc- 

 tions covering such work will be issued from time to time and special 

 assistance furnished by the district forester where advisable, the 

 supervisor will be held responsible for the effective direction and 

 execution of reforestation work as for any other activity on his 

 Forest. 



GENERAL METHODS. 



In every district, intensive experiments, with exact control of all 



factors, should be conducted at experiment stations 



ments nslve experi " and elsewhere to determine the best methods of 



reforestation applicable to the main types in the 



district where such work is necessary. These experiments will 



include tests with both native and exotic species. They should serve 



to check and develop the methods in use and as training schools for 



the men engaged in forest extension. 



Direct seeding is, wherever practicable, the cheapest and most rapid 

 method of reforestation. It should be thoroughly 

 tested on the favorable sites in each district and ex- 

 tensively employed on areas when it is found to be successful. To 

 secure the largest results possible in the actual extension of forest 

 growth, direct seeding on sites where reasonable success by this 

 method is assured will constitute the principal work of the Service 

 in reforestation. 



The growing and planting of nursery stock will be carried on simul- 

 taneously with direct seeding where conditions require. 

 This work will be directed with a view to ascertaining 

 the comparative results of the two methods, the sites on which the 

 greater success from the standpoint of cost and results will be obtained 

 from each method, respectively, and the proper relation of the two 

 methods in the future development of reforestation work. 



The use of wild seedlings in localities where they can be gathered and 

 transplanted at a reasonable cost should be thoroughly 

 tested, and developed in so far as the results, in com- 

 parison with other methods, warrant. 



On large burns or other areas where complete reforestation would 



necessarily proceed very slowly, the seeding or 



^Partial reforesta- planting of plots scattered over the tract may be 



employed with a view to establishing small patches 



of forest from which natural reproduction will subsequently extend. 



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