188 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



cial value of its bark, for which there is a widespread, permanent, and 

 increasing demand. The extensive collection of bark now threatens 

 the commercial disappearance if not the complete extermination of the 

 species. Consumers are extremely solicitous for the future of an 

 established industry. A careful investigation would permit recom- 

 mendations looking to a maintenance of the supply. 



Experiments will be made to determine the minimum wound neces- 

 sary in tapping pine trees to produce a maximum yield of turpentine 

 and rosin. It is believed that the experiments planned will result in 

 a system of chipping which will inci'ease the life of turpentined trees 

 without decreasing their yield of naval stores. 



Experiments with basket willows will be continued on the Arlington 

 Experimental Farm to determine the best methods of culture and 

 spacing for the production of high-grade basket rods. Both native 

 and exotic willows will be tested with special reference to the soil and 

 management required to secure the best quality and largest yield of 

 stock. Methods of harvesting and preparing rods for market will also 

 be studied, as well as the market value of each species. 



forest extension. 



Cooperative Planting. 



The policy of cooperation with private owners in forest planting 

 has been in force in the Bureau since July, 1899. Up to June 30, 

 1904, an aggregate of 345 examinations of separate pieces of land 

 were made to determine their suitability for planting, followed by the 

 preparation of 334 plans, for land in thirty-six States and Territories, 

 with a total area of 13,668.8 acres. The cost of these plans was 

 approximately 35 cents per acre. During the past year the Bureau 

 examined land belonging to 63 owners and made 42 planting plans 

 for an aggregate of 2,861.33 acres. Forty applications were on file 

 awaiting attention at the beginning of the year, 65 were received 

 during the year, and 52 are now awaiting attention. 



The following table shows in detail the number of examinations and 

 plans made, and the total area covered by the plans, by States, for the 

 past year and since the inauguration of cooperative planting. 



