228 THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF WORKING PLANS 



done until the winter of 1907-08, when for the first time rough 

 estimates of the timber standing on the various national forests 

 were compiled. 



The section of reconnaissance in the office of forest manage- 

 ment was reorganized and its activities diverted from a study 

 of the distribution, existing volume, utilization, and manage- 

 ment of the more important commercial species (so called " Com- 

 mercial Tree Studies ") to the far more pressing task of sys- 

 tematizing and controlling the estimates, allowed annual cut, 

 marking rules, stumpage rates, and sale policy of the national 

 forests which then aggregated about 175 million acres. 



The compilation of estimates from the various national 

 forests was so glaringly inadequate that steps were immedi- 

 ately taken to secure reliable estimates of all the forests, begin- 

 ning with those where the cutting was heaviest and threatened 

 to exceed the proper allowance. By the placing of several 

 parties in the field each season good progress has been made 

 towards securing fairly reliable estimates and forest descriptions 

 and usually excellent maps. 



Based on these field data, insufficient though they are, sim- 

 ple working plans have been prepared in accordance with stand- 

 ard outlines. The outline of 191 2 which is still in effect is as 

 follows : 



I. General Description 



(General data which relates to two or more sections of the plan, or which 

 can be treated more logically here than under other sections. Under most 

 headings the discussion will be a summary of important points treated in 

 detail in other sections of the plan.) 

 Creation. Area, past and present. Totals of alienated lands by classes. 



(Tabulated form.) 

 Physical features. (Concise. Include the information which has a distinct 

 bearing upon or forms the basis for the provisions of the plan.) 

 Climate. (Data not of direct application may be placed in the Appendix.) 

 Topography. (For use in the division of the forest into working circles, 

 as well as its bearing upon use, development, and administration of 

 the forest.) 

 Geology. (As it affects soils, etc.) 

 Soils. (In such form that statement made may be appl'ed directly in 



silvicultural practice, settlement, policy, etc.) 

 Land classification. Forest, agriculture, grazing, barren, etc. (Tabu- 

 lated. Brief discussion, if necessary.) 



