22 
belonging to some State, company, or individual. Its work is divided, 
‘broadly, between the National Forests and cooperative projects. 
The section of timber sales has oversight of the disposal of timber 
on the National Forests. Working plans are prepared as far as possi- 
ble in advance of all sales, and in every case sales are carried on under 
contracts which provide for the right silvical condition of the forest, 
careful logging methods, and safeguards against fire. An important 
provision in all sales of large amount limits the period of the sale, the 
longest contract being for five years, and requires that each year a 
definite quantity be removed. In this way speculation in Nationak 
Forest timber is prevented. Since the transfer of the Forests to the 
Forest Service two years ago business methods in the disposal of 
timber have been simplified and the volume of sales has greatly 
increased. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1907, returns from this 
source exceeded $600,000. 
The section of reconnaissance studies the relation of supply and 
demand of the timber resources of the National Forests. An impor- 
tant part of its work is the location and rough estimating of tracts 
of timber on the National Forests in advance of actual application 
for the purchase of the timber, in order that information may be at — 
hand whenever anyone does wish to purchase. It also investigates 
the future supply of timber needed for special purposes in different 
localities. | , 
The Forest Atlas combines all maps of the National Forests on a 
uniform scale and with uniform symbols to designate the different 
species of trees, topographic features, and culture. These maps are 
of the greatest value to all branches of the Forest Service for refer- . 
ence, and are especially useful for keeping a graphic record of pres- 
ent and past timber sales and of the permanent improvements on the 
National Forests. ice . 
The section of cooperation has the supervision of work through which 
the Service gives assistance to private owners in the management of 
their forest lands. 
Private owners of timberlands, large or small, may secure the aid 
of the Forest Service in the care of their lands under a plan of co- 
operation fully outlined in Circular 21. Any owner who wishes to 
learn whether forestry might be profitable to him may apply to the 
Forest Service for a working plan. An agent of the Service is then 
sent to examine the forest. Ifthe piece of woodland is small, as in farm 
woodlots, and management is practicable, a plan is outlined on the spot 
and carefully explained to the owner. In the case of large tracts the 
preparation of a working plan requires a more prolonged study on 
the ground. The agent sent to examine the tract therefore first finds 
out whether a sufficiently good opening for paying management exists 
to justify the outlay. His report is submitted to the owner, with an 
estimate of the cost of preparing the plan if a plan is found desirable. 
(Cir. 36] 
