ADMINISTRATION 87 



tion of woods is done at the Forest Products Labo- 

 ratorj^. The distinguishing characteristics of the 

 woods of many American tree species have been de- 

 termined. The wood of different trees is studied 

 under the microscope to discover in what way it 

 differs from other woods closely related. Many 

 such results are published for the benefit of both 

 the lumber dealer and the general public in the 

 form of bulletins. Both the subject of dyewoods 

 and that of the many woods now sold as mahogany 

 have been investigated in this way. The resulting 

 data have been used by many companies and have 

 helped to protect the public from frauds. 



Seed Studies. Experiments in reforestation 

 are grouped under seed studies, nursery studies, 

 and sowing and planting. Considerable work has 

 been done in developing the best methods of seed- 

 extraction. Much valuable information has been 

 gathered on the largest amount of seed that may be 

 extracted from pine cones of different species per 

 unit of time at different degrees of temperature ; the 

 maximum temperature which may be applied to 

 seeds of different species without impairing their 

 vitality ; the germinating power of seed extracted at 

 different temperatures; the comparative length of 



