68 OUR NATIONAL FORESTS 



proper methods have been demonstrated by experi- 

 ment, the new methods can be applied on a large 

 scale with a very good chance for success. 



Therefore intensive experiments must come first. 

 Business prudence requires the development of all 

 methods in detail and reasonable certainty as to 

 their results before large sums are expended upon 

 field operations. In the least favorable regions like 

 the semi-arid mesas of the Southwest, the work is 

 restricted for the present to small, carefullj'^ con- 

 ducted experiments, the result sought being relia- 

 ble information upon how to proceed rather than 

 the reforestation of many acres. In the most fa- 

 vorable regions, as the western slopes of the Rocky 

 Mountains and the Cascade Ranges, the results al- 

 ready obtained have been so excellent, due to an 

 unusual combination of good gi'owing conditions, 

 that operations upon a larger scale have been justi- 

 fied simultaneously with continued intensive inves- 

 tigations. As the work is extended into each new 

 region or new National Forest, the most favorable 

 sites are always chosen first. After the possibili- 

 ties and limitations of each method have been ascer- 

 tained by experience under the best conditions of 

 each locality the work can either be intelligently 



