SAMPLE PLOTS IN SILVICTJLTTJRAL RESEARCH 59 



Recommendations for future work. Discussion of future treatments as to 

 kind, degree, and time. This should carry the work for from 10 to 20 or 

 more years into the future. 



Appendix: Maps, survey notes, field and explanatory notes, volume tables, 

 photographs, etc. 



Usually it is unwise to make an elaborate analysis of plot data at 

 the time when the establishment report is written. Remeasurements 

 are likely to show that some other approach would be more profitable 

 than the one chosen at the time of establishment. However, 

 in anticipation of changes in personnel and in view of the diffi- 

 cult}^ of fully appreciating at a, later time what was in the mind 

 of the man who established the plot, it is well for the establish- 

 ment report to make rather definite recommendations as to pro- 

 cedure in analysis. These serve as a guide to those who make 

 reexaminations and write progress reports; also, preparing such 

 recommendations in conjunction with the original plan tends to 

 assure that the information taken at establishment will cover all 

 points needed in a future analysis. The recommendations as to 

 procedure need not be adhered to, of course, if some more profitable 

 approach develops. 



PROGRESS REPORTS 



At every remeasurement a report should be prepared describing 

 conditions found on the plot and any treatment given it (with 

 reasons therefor), summarizing the data, and presenting the prin- 

 cipal findings from preliminary analysis. Each such report should 

 discuss further treatment needed by or planned for the stand. 

 These reports should be supplemented with progress reports made 

 after every additional visit to the plot. The latter may be exceed- 

 ingly brief, but should mention anything out of the ordinary that 

 the visits bring out. Information currently recorded on such mat- 

 ters as presence of insects, wind damage, recent death of numbered 

 trees, excessive numbers of rodents, disturbance of plot corners, and 

 missing tags is very helpful at later remeasurements. 



Before the progress report is prepared the author should consult 

 the working plan, establishment, and previous progress reports so 

 that he will have clearly in mind the purpose of the study and the 

 previous findings. Such a review will assist him in carrying out 

 the essential aims of the investigation. 



FIELD RECORD 



In order that the sequence and usefulness of the plot records may 

 be better understood, a continuous diary should be kept of all the 

 operations on the plot. This diary should include the following 

 points : 



(1) Date of each visit. 



(2) Personnel of visiting party. 



(3) Work done, and methods of work. 



(4) Instruments used, and persons using them. 



(5) Weather. 



(6) Other pertinent matters. 



An analysis of the time and number of men needed for each step 

 of plot establishment and treatment is useful in subsequent planning 

 for similar work. 



