OUR FORESTS 



31 



tion of forests, and others the utilization of their products, forest 

 economics and grazing. 



Through a series of 12 regional forest and range experiment 

 stations intensive studies are made of such things as the rates of 

 growth and requirements of the different tree species, what methods 

 of cutting under varying conditions will be followed by the best 

 reproduction of the most desirable kinds of trees, the best methods 

 of nursery practice and of field planting, and how best to protect 

 the forests from fire and other damaging agencies. The relation of 

 forests to climate, stream flow, and erosión is also investigated, and 

 studies are made of range conditions and management. In this work 

 the stations cooperate closely with the national-forest organization, 

 with other Government bureaus, State foresters, agricultural col- 

 leges and experiment stations, and universities. 



Important research work is done by the Forest Products Labora- 

 tory, at Madison, Wis. Here, in cooperation with the University 

 of Wisconsin, the Forest Service carries on intensive studies of the 

 physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of wood and other 

 forest products. Tests are made of the strength of American woods 

 of commercial importance; studies are made in seasoning and kiln- 

 drying, wood preservation, the manufacture of paper pulp, fiber- 

 board, and the like, the production of alcohol, turpentine, rosin, tar, 

 and other chemical products. The results of this work help the 

 wood-consuming industries to find the most suitable raw materials 

 and to develop methods of utilizing waste products. They also assist 

 timberland owners to find new markets f or forest products. Another 

 important part of the laboratory's work is to discover ways of using 

 woods which, though often abundant, have been considered of little 

 or no valué, and to develop new uses for the products of the forest. 



Investigations in forest economics cover the entire range of the 

 economic and social problems in volved in the production of forests 

 and in the utilization of forest resources. Under its economic pro- 

 gram, the Forest Service is conducting a survey of the forest resources 

 and requirements of the whole country. This Nation-wide project 

 includes studies of all problems relating to forests and forest-land use 

 and management, as well as an analysis of the relation of its findings 

 to one another and to other related social and economic f actors. The 

 results of this survey will be used as bases for formulating policies, 

 principies, and plans for the management and use of both public and 

 prívate forest land. Other important projects in forest economics 

 now being carried on are those which have to do with equitable 

 methods of forest taxation ; the extent of tax delinquency and rever- 

 sión of forest land to public ownership; and the practicability of 

 remedial measures. 



CCC FORESTRY 



Since its inception in 1933 much permanent improvement work has 

 been done on national forests by the Civilian Conservation Corps 

 which has built telephone lines, firebreaks, fire towers, trails, and 

 bridges; planted trees on áreas in need of reforesting; and engaged 

 in many other forms of forest work. Not the least important is the 

 assistance the corps has given in the fighting and prevention of forest 

 fires on the national forests. 



