192 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 
7. Studies of forest influences, including the relation 
of forests and other vegetative cover to run-off, erosion 
and streamflow, the relation of forests to the climate of 
the region in which they are located and the regions lying 
to the leeward of the forests, and the effect of the forest 
cover upon the physical condition of the soil. These 
studies are basic to studies of the economic value of the 
forest. 
8. Studies in forest economics. Data are now being 
compiled which show the monetary value of watershed 
protection to irrigation and agricultural lands dependent 
upon irrigation waters, to water power and to navigation. 
It is estimated that the service which the national forests 
perform in the conservation of water for irrigation alone 
amounts to $2,500,000 annually. Another important study 
is that of the effects of destructive cutting, which is typical 
of the private ownership of timber lands in important 
lumber producing regions, upon the economic and sociologi- 
cal welfare of the region. A study of the disposition of 
State timberlands and other natural resources by the State 
governments is in progress, the objects of which are to show 
(1) the prevailing policy of the States with reference to the 
disposition of such resources and the purpose of their use, 
(2) the efficiency of the State administration of the con- 
servation policy with reference to forest resources; and 
(3) the general results of the State ownership of forest 
resources from the standpoint of the Nation as an entity. 
9. Studies in forest fire protection, which have as 
their objects the development of a more scientific basis for 
rating forest fire hazard and liability, the determination 
of the relation of meteorological conditions to fire hazard 
and fire protection, the working out of the principles under- 
lying fire protection, the determination of the basic prin- 
ciples of assessing forest fire damage and the relative 
damage in different types of forest under varying condi- 
tions. Fire protection studies are of fundamental impor- 
tance to the adequate protection of the national forests from 
fire and in the efficient administration of them. 
