172 DEPARTMENTAL EEPGRT8. 



two important methods of improving chaparral are protection from fire 

 and planting; and that there is great need for both. Protection from 

 fire must be assured first, since the success of planting depends upon 

 it. Lai'ge areas in the interior of the mountains are especially in need 

 of planting; because they lie at the head of important drainage basins 

 and owing to recent fires are very nearly barren, although they for- 

 merly bore excellent timber. Isolated areas can also be found on the 

 exposed south front of the mountains, where planting is urgent and 

 can be successfully accomplished. The study will be continued in other 

 portions of California. 



A study of the replacement of the natural forest on denuded areas 

 was in progress throughout the yekr in the Santa Barbara, San Gabriel, 

 San Bernardino, and San Jacinto forest reserves. The most detailed 

 work was done in the San Bernardino Reserve, where a field party 

 worked during the winter months. Though the conditions present are 

 in many ways similar, the mountains show extreme variations in forest 

 reproduction. The main questions studied were the extent of forest in 

 the past, the sufiiciency of reproduction at present as compared with 

 the necessary future forest area, the effect of fire upon forest repro- 

 duction, the contest between forest and chaparral on burned areas, and 

 the rate of growth of j^oung forest trees. 



Taken with the chaparral studj' the results go far to establish the 

 extent to which the mountain slopes on important watersheds are being 

 covered by young timber. They also show the character of reproduc- 

 tion in localities which, like parts of the San Bernardino Mountains, 

 have been fully protected from fire, and on which young growth is 

 thrifty and abundant. A third practical result of this work is to 

 show upon what important watersheds the forest cover is extremely 

 poor, and where efficient protection and extensive planting are pecu- 

 liarly needed in order to restore the mountains to a safe condition as 

 watersheds. 



The study of forest fires in California has been continued and is now 

 nearly complete. Its results will be used in recommendations for the 

 organization of a fire service which will reduce to the minimum the 

 State's losses bj' fire. 



Maryland. 



A descriptive study (conducted in connection with the work under 

 Dendrology) was made, in cooperation with the Maryland geological 

 survey, of the forests of Worcester County. Based upon this a detailed 

 forest type map and report have been prepared for publication in the 

 annual report of the State geologist. The study is important, partic- 

 ularly as bringing out the commercial value of large areas of loblolly 

 pine, which, owing to the presence of good local markets, may be 

 profitably worked for fruit boxboards under a forty-year rotation. The 

 report further deals with a classification of the woodland types, their 

 extent, location, and composition, and with the available stand, con- 

 sumption, and uses of timber. Recommendations for profitable man- 

 agement are also included. 



Massachusetts. 



At the beginning of the fiscal year the Bureau began, in cooperation 

 with the Massachusetts Forestry Association, a study of forest condi- 

 tions in Massachusetts. This study, while dealing with specific 



