FOREST RANGERS* CATECHISM 41 



of the national forests. Present plans call for the planting of about 

 500 acres annually, which will be gradually increased as more stock 

 is grown in the Government nurseries. 



2. Why does not the Forest Service plant more extensively? 

 Planting is expensive, appropriations for the work limited, and 



long periods of summer drought make the results uncertain. Conse- 

 quently the Forest Service depends on natural reseeding wherever 

 possible. In the pine region of California experience has shown that 

 natural reproduction can be secured wherever there are at least 

 three or four thrifty pine trees of seed-bearing age per acre. Most 

 partially stocked forest areas will restock naturally if fire is kept 

 out. 



3. How many forest nurseries are there in the national forests of 

 California, where are they located, and what is their capacity? 



The Susanville nursery at Susanville in the Lassen National For- 

 est, with a capacity of 1,000,000 trees per year: the Devil's Canyon 

 nursery near San Bernardino in the San Bernardino National Forest, 

 with a capacity of 50.000. and the Feather River nursery near Quincy 

 in the Plumas National Forest, with a capacity of 50,000 seedlings 

 per year. 



4. Can nursery stock for private planting be purchased from the 

 Government nurseries? 



Not at present. Nursery capacity is still so limited that all stock 

 raised is needed for the planting of denuded areas within national 

 forests. 



5. Are any other agencies in California doing reforestation work? 



In the redwood region the owners of private land are doing ex- 

 tensive planting. One of the private owners in the pine region of 

 the Sierra Nevada is cooperating with the Forest Service in planting 

 work, and the Los Angeles County forestry department does con- 

 siderable planting on the denuded or chaparral-covered hills of 

 the Sierra Madre which are valuable for watershed protection. 



6. How long will it take to grow a timber crop on an area arti- 

 ficially reforested? 



From SO to 130 years, depending on the locality. In the redwood 

 region it will take probably less than 80 years. In the dry country 

 on the eastern slope of the Sierra it will require the longest time, 

 while on the slopes of the Sierra and Coast Range bordering the 

 valleys it will require from 90 to 120 years. 



FOREST RESEARCH 



1. What is the function of research in forestry? 



To acquire and make available knowledge necessary for securing 

 the best growth and utilization of forests and use of forest lands. 



2. What is the scope of forest research? 



Studies involving the knowledge needed to grow timber, to protect 

 forests from fire, overgrazing, erosion, insects, and disease, and 

 economic studies involving forest products, supply and demand, 

 lumber prices, transportation, and utilization of forest land. 



