176 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



the computing of foi-est areas, the mounting of maps, and the classifi- 

 cation of the map records of the Bureau. 



SiLVICS. 



The section of Silvics compiles and digests all silvic information 

 obtained by the Bureau. This work has gone far enough to equip 

 each man who will take up the study of a commercial tree during the 

 coming season with a comprehensive record of the data already 

 obtained, thus leading to added effectiveness in further work and to 

 the early publication of results. 



Work for the Ensuing Year. 



The computation of the field results of the Bureau bj^ the section of 

 Forest Computation will continue, as will the preparation of maps, 

 drawings, and diagrams in the section of Forest Maps. Through the 

 section of Silvics, a definite system is being perfected and applied for 

 the classification, under forest trees and forest regions, of all knowl- 

 edge obtained b}^ the Bureau concerning the behavior of trees in the 

 forest. 



Expenditures. 



The total expenditures during the year under the head of Forest 

 Measurements were 121,492.33, or 6 per cent of the total appropriation 

 of the Bureau. 



forest management. 

 Public Lands. 



The act of June 27, 1902, known as the Morris bill, provided that 

 231,400 acres should be selected by the Forester from certain lands of 

 the Chippewa Indian Reservations in northern Minnesota, which should 

 eventually become a National forest reserve. It was further specified 

 that 200,000 acres of the designated total should be pine land, 95 per 

 cent of the standing timber on which should be sold at public auction, 

 to be removed under such regulations as the Forester should prescribe; 

 that 25,000 acres should be selected from lands classed as agricultural 

 land; and that the remainder, or ten sections, should be reserved from 

 both settlement and the sale of timber. Work under this act has gone 

 on steadily during the year. The ten sections have been selected and 

 the selection has been approved by the Secretary of the Interior, their 

 outer boundaries have been surveyed and mai-ked plainly upon the 

 ground, and notices against fire and cutting have been posted every 40 

 rods along these boundaries. The 5 per cent of timber to be left 

 standing has been selected and marked upon approximately 55,000 

 acres. The timber to be removed was sold last December at public 

 auction. In view of the fact that this timber is to be cut and removed 

 under rules and regulations prescribed by the Bureau, it is wortky of 

 note that the price paid for it is reported to be higher than has ever 

 before been obtained for a considerable, body of white pine timber, . 

 and in particular that it was higher than the price paid for similar 

 timber adjacent, but not subject to the rules of the Forester. 



