BUREAU OF FORESTRY. 121 



FOREST MEASUBEMENTS. 



The section of forest measurements will continue to work up all field, 

 results obtained by the Bureau. It will at the same time carry on 

 field work within its own province. 



COMMERCIAL TREES. 



The purpose of the Bureau in this branch of its work is to complete 

 during the ensuing year the studies of commercial trees already begun. 

 The more important of these are the southern hardwoods, the southern 

 pines, the Adirondack hardwoods, the Balsam in Maine and New 

 York, the White Pine in Michigan, the Lodgepole Pine in the Middle 

 West, and the Sugar Pine in California. 



Forest Investigation. 



studies of commercial trees. 



During the past year, both by this division and by the division of 

 forest management, much valuable information was gathered for the 

 discussion of the growth and yield of White Pine, Eed Pine, White 

 Oak, Scarlet Oak, Red Oak, and Aspen in Michigan; Sugar Pine in 

 California; Balsam in Maine; and White Oak and Chestnut Oak in 

 Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri. Similar data was collected for 

 Lodgepole Pine in Wyoming and Montana, and for Western Yellow 

 Pine in Arizona. 



NEW ENGLAND HARDWOODS. 



The study of New England second-growth hardwoods was continued 

 by two field parties, and valuable facts were collected for the future 

 discussion of their value and the best method of maintaining it. 



The first draft of a study of the silvicultural characteristics of the 

 Longleaf Pine was revised and enlarged. The study of the growth 

 and characteristics of Loblolly Pine was not completed last year, 

 partly on account of the illness of the expert in charge of the work 

 and partly because his services were diverted to other urgent work. 

 The report on this pine is now practically completed and the manu- 

 script will soon be ready for the press. The study of the Sierra Big 

 Tree in California and its exact distribution required additional 

 attention, but is now practically finished. The maps and manuscripts 

 will be ready for printing early during the present fiscal year. A 

 study of the Bristle-cone Fir in southern California was completed 

 and will shortly be ready for publication. The report on the Pacific 

 Coast Redwood was prepared this year and awaits editorial revision. 

 The report on Western Hemlock was completed and is in press. 



SWAMP FORESTS. 



A preliminary study of the factors which determine the distribution 

 and best growth of swamp forests in eastern Missouri and Arkansas 

 was begun last season. The timber trees concerned in this investiga- 

 tion are principally Cypress, Red Gum, and Black Gum. Little is 

 known of the conditions most favorable to the reproduction and to 

 the best growth of the Cypress, which is a timber of the first commer- 

 cial value, or of the gums to be included in this study, the results of 

 which are likely to be of practical value. 



STUDIES OF NORTH AMERICAN FORESTS. 



Michigan. — At the request of the Michigan forest commission a 

 study was made of typical areas of forest and other lauds in the 



