l26 DEPAKTMENTAL KEPOET^. 



Osier willow industry in the United States. — An exhaustive study 

 was made of the status of the osier willow industry in this country. 

 Important statistical data, hitherto unpublished, were compiled and 

 supplemented by original inquiries. A representative of the Bureau 

 studied on the ground the growth and management of American osier 

 plantations, and added a thorough survey of the osier willow culture 

 in foreign countries. A bulletin embodying the results of these in- 

 vestigations is nearly ready for publication. There is a widespread 

 call for the information it will contain. 



Tree growth on bu/rned lands. — The study of burned mountain slopes 

 in southern California was continued during the year. Special atten- 

 tion was given to the study of natural reseeding from surviving trees, 

 and to experiments in direct seed planting of Western Yellow Pine, 

 Torrey Pine, and Monterey Pine, in denuded sections. Since the 

 spring rains very encouraging results have followed this seeding. 

 With the exception of the Yellow Pine, the species named are of little 

 direct value, but a protective cover of these trees will make possible 

 the later introduction of more useful timbers. Strong local sentiment 

 was aroused by this work, and the agent in charge has been given 

 cordial support and assistance from settlers in collecting seed and in 

 planting it. 



JEucalypts cultivated in the United States. — A careful study was made 

 of the distinguishing characteristics, culture, uses, and distribution 

 in the United States of about 40 species of Australian Eucalypts, and 

 the results of these studies were embodied in a bulletin which is now 

 in press. Collectively, the information made available in this bulletin 

 is nowhere else accessible. It will give information much needed and 

 often requested by correspondents of this Bureau. 



Acacias cultivated and naturalised in the United States. — A similar 

 study was made of the Acacias cultivated and naturalized in the United 

 States, but the report is not yet ready for publication. Information 

 concerning these trees is in constant demand by correspondents of 

 the Bureau in the Southwest. 



TIMBER CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES.* 



D'twdbility of treated and untreated railway titpher. — In cooperation 

 with the Bureau of Plant Industry, the durability of timber used for 

 construction, and particularly of railroad timber, was given thorough 

 attention. Large quantities of railroad ties, contributed and trans- 

 ported without cost to the Department by vario\is companies, were 

 laid in the roadbed under test conditions. 



The value of insect-killed timber, both treated and untreated, for 

 various purposes was carefully investigated, and great interest in vari- 

 ous questions was aroused among the mining and railroad companies. 

 Widespread support and encouragement was given by the latter in 

 various ways. This work, continued from previous years, is among 

 the most promising in which the Bureau of Forestry has been engaged. 



EXPOSITIONS. 



The forest exhibit installed at the Pan-American Exposition on 

 Juje 20, 1901, remained on exhibition until November 1, 1901, when, 

 with the exception of the two largest transparencies, it was moved to 

 Charleston, S. C, and installed there on December 30, in the South 



