134 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



practicable, and of the methods to be economically employed in vari- 

 ous regions. This knowledge can be obtained only by an exhaustive 

 study of plantations already established. Such a study was vigor- 

 ously pursued, during the past year, along the lines already established, 

 in 20 large plantations, 8 of which are located in the Middle West and 

 12 in the East. The study of the Hardy Catalpa for economic plant- 

 ing was completed, and a bulletin based upon it is in press. A study 

 of the White Pine for economic planting in New England is in prog- 

 ress, and a report is in course of preparation. 



Closely connected with these investigations is a study now under 

 way with the object of finding trees better adapted to the South- 

 western plains than those hitherto in use. Types of trees inured to 

 hard conditions of climate and soil in other regions are being intro- 

 duced, in the hope that trees thoroughly fitted for the situation may 

 be discovered. 



STUDIES OF FOREST EXTENSION. 



The study of the practicability of forest extension by assisting 

 natural reproduction was begun two years ago in the timber belts 

 which project into the prairies along the streams of the Middle West. 

 During the past year this study was much advanced by a forest sur- 

 vey which included a large portion of Nebraska. It was found that 

 the forests of that State, which consist mostly of narrow belts along 

 the streams, have extended over large areas of prairie land within the 

 last twenty-five years, where they were protected from fire and stoclf. 

 It is estimated that in eastern Nebraska, where the timber is confined 

 to hardwoods, the growth of the, forest through its encroachment on 

 prairie land amounts to not less than 400 square miles. The exten- 

 sion of the forest is noticeable on almost every stream and ravine. 

 The forest is known to have traveled up certain streams as much as 

 2 miles and to have taken complete possession of tracts of 80 to 100 

 acres of prairie lands within the last twenty-five years. 



A knowledge of how to assist natural reproduction effectually will 

 be useful throughout the Middle West, where there are hundreds of 

 scantily wooded stream valleys which should support a heavy stand 

 of timber. Such knowledge will also be of much use in dealing with 

 the denuded lands in the Eastern States, especially where reproduc- 

 tion has been prevented by repeated fires. It is likely to be of great- 

 est value, however, on the National forest reserves, where the stand 

 of timber is often deficient and in the management of which time is 

 often a less important factor than on private lands. 



RESERVE PLANTING. 



The first step in this important work was taken this year. In the 

 forest survey made in Nebraska, convincing evidence was found of 

 the adaptability of the sand-hill district of that State to the growth 

 of forest trees. Bull Pine and Red Cedar are spreading over the hills 

 naturally near the Niobrara River, a decided tendency toward shrub 

 growth exists throughout the district, and the Government's experi- 

 ment in planting conifers, made nearly fifteen years ago, has been 

 attended with marked success. At the recommendation of Senator 

 Dietrich, of Nebraska, supported by the Bureau of Forestry, the 

 President, on the 16th of last April, established in the sand-hill 

 region two forest reserves of a joint area of 208,902 acres. With the 



