ADMINISTRATION 61 



tional Forests during the fiscal year 1918 is there- 

 fore $1,926,530.84. 



THE CLASSIFICATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF 

 NATIONAL FOREST LANDS 



The classification and consolidation of National 

 Forest lands is a matter of great importance to 

 their proper administration and protection. If all 

 the lands within the Forests are to be put to their 

 highest use for the permanent good of the whole 

 people the lands inside of their boundaries must be 

 classified and permanent boundaries established for 

 each Forest. Through this kind of work the Na- 

 tional Forests gain in stability. The classification 

 and segregation of the agricultural lands is most 

 important, for these lands are open to entry under 

 the Forest Homestead Act. 



Land Classification. The land classification 

 work is organized in the Washington and District 

 Ofiices under the Branch of Lands. Crews of men 

 are sent out from the District Offices and the work 

 of classification, carefully planned ahead, is done by 

 projects, that is, large contiguous areas are exam- 

 ined together. For instance, the Hat Creek Proj- 



