118 DEPARTMENTAL EEP0ET8. 



cover the field expenses of the agents of the Bureau engaged in the 

 work. The area of these three townships is 69,916 acres, and the nec- 

 essary studies on the ground occupied a party of 16 men for four 

 months. The work was carried on upon lines similar to those fol- 

 lowed in the preparation of a working plan for township 40, Hamilton 

 County, which has already appeared as Bulletin No. 30, Division of 

 Forestry. Measurements of the total stand were made upon 3,471 

 acres and of volume and rate of growth upon 2,081 felled trees. A 

 careful study was made of the forest, not only from the point of view 

 of the forester, but also from that of the lumberman, and a map was 

 prepared for the three townships showing the combined work of both. 

 This map, in addition to the forest types, gives information necessary 

 to the best lumbering of the tract, showing desirable sites for splash 

 dams, and indicating necessary improvements of streams for driving 

 and other points of practical value to the lumberman. 



MILITARY RESERVATIONS. 



An important piece of work which will be taken up as rapidly as the 

 force and appropriation of the Bureau will permit has arisen through 

 the request by the Secretary of War upon the Secretary of Agriculture 

 for technical advice governing the handling of military wood and tim- 

 ber reservations. These are eight in number and comprise a total 

 area of 117,468 acres. 



A preliminary examination has already been made of the West Point 

 Military Academy Reservation of 2,000 acres stocked with second- 

 growth hardwoods, and a detailed working plan has been recommended 

 and field work will soon begin. An excellent opportunity is offered 

 for thinnings which will materially improve the character of the forest 

 and at the same time yield a supply of firewood for the use of the 

 Academy. 



FORESTS UNDER MANAGEMENT. 



The working plan prepared in 1901 for the tract of the Sawyer & 

 Austin Lumber Company, of Pine Bluff, Ark., and which has been 

 published as Bulletin No. 32 of the Bureau of Forestry, was put into 

 effect in March, 1902. The forest is a mixture of Shortleaf and Lob- 

 lolly Pine, with scattered hardwoods, the pine only being cut to a 

 diameter of 14 inches on the stump. The tract was visited by agents 

 of the Bureau and the area to be cut over within the next year, 

 approximately 6,400 acres, was carefully examined. On this area a 

 certain number of Loblolly and Shortleaf pines to be left as seed trees 

 were marked and stamped. They average one tree to 6 acres. It is 

 estimated that there will be left after lumbering at least six seed trees 

 below a diameter of 14 inches, and it is believed that with the larger 

 trees referred to above they will amply suffice to seed up the cut-over 

 lands. Tlie Loblolly grows more rapidly than the Shortleaf and is of 

 practically the same value in the market; hence, wherever possible, 

 it was favored in the markings in order to increase the stand of Lob- 

 lolly m the second crop. A good begipning in fire protection has 

 been made. One thousand acres have been set aside and an attempt 

 will be made to protect this area thoroughly against fire. It is favor- 

 ably situated, being completely surrounded by abandoned railroad 

 spurs These spurs have been cleared of rubbish and will act as 

 excellent fire hues. A man who lives on this area has been detailed 



