AN AUSTRALIAN STUDY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY. 41 
In this way efficiency methods would be most quickly diffused throughout 
the Forest Service and the consequent development would be rapid. 
The alternatives are eventual replacement by younger and better-trained 
men, which would not be fair to the older officers—the American policy—or 
the postponement of new methods until the older officers had left the service— 
which would not be fair to the public. 
Cuapter II. 
U.S.A. TIMBER SALES POLICY 
“For the purpose of preserving the living and growing timber and 
promoting the younger growth on forest reservations, the Secretary of Agri- 
culture, under such rules and regulations as he shall prescribe, may cause 
to be designated and appraised, so much of the dead, matured, or large 
growth of trees as may be compatible with the utilisation of the forests 
thereon; and may sell the same for not less than the appraised value. (Act 
of June 4, 1897.) 
This is the authority under which the timber on the United States of 
America National Forests is disposed of. It is a sales, not a royalty system 
such as we have at present in practically all the Australian States with the 
exception of Queensland. 
Of the timberlands of the United States of America, only one-fifth are 
National Forest—the remainder are privately owned, generally by large lumber 
companies ; they compete with the National Forests, and practically dominate 
the market. The Forest Service has not a monopoly and is not compelled to 
dispose of its timber willy nilly. For some years after the dedications were 
made, in fact, timber was held in reserve and no sales whatever were negotiated. 
In this respect the situation differs from that of Australia, where the 
Government forests control the market by possession of a virtual monopoly, 
and by reason of that fact and the shortness of the supply are forced by the 
public demand to market their timber resources whether they feel prepared 
to do sc cr not. 
The United States of America timber sales policy is controlled by a special 
office of silviculture of the Forest Service. Originally based on European 
technique, it has been compelled to come to American earth by the 
exigencies of the situation and the period, and is now a very practical present- 
day policy. Measured by the Australian standards of the moment, it is 
elaborate, yet as compared with the intensive methods of the Continent, it 
is a very “extensive” scheme. 
The Act of 1897 provided that National Forest timber may be sold “ 
not less than the appraised value.” 
Whence developed the science of appraising timber stumpage on the 
National Forests. 
A topographic strip survey and timber assessment on similar but much 
more detailed lines than those followed by us form the basis of operation. 
.This provides four maps, which show— 
(1.) Topography, culture, and improvements. 
(2.) Timber types and age classes. 
(3.) Timber estimates by 40-acre sections. 
(4.) The projected improvement plan. 
