
FOREST WORKING PLANS. ESE 
of the forest so as tosecure the continuous production of wood and 
timber. 
It is beyond the scope of this book to discuss at length the de- 
tails of the preparation of forest working plans. That belongs to 
a treatise on forest management. It will be of interest, however, 
to lumbermen to know the main items of information usually in- 
cluded in such plans. 
Forest working plans usually include: 
(1) Maps showing the boundaries of the tract, ridges, rivers, 
streams, ponds, roads, trails,and, if possible, contour lines, the 
distribution of the timber, cut-over land, burned land, waste land, 
large windfalls, and other useful information of kindred character. 
{2) A general description of the forest, by watersheds or some 
other natural or artificial divisions, to supplement the information 
given on the forest map. 
(3) An estimate of the merchantable timber, together with 
information as to the best methods and cost of lumbering, the 
construction and location of camps, roads, dams, and other neces- 
sary works, such as railroads, tramroads, slides, flumes, etc. 
(4) Tables of yield, based on the study of the growth of the 
different trees under the conditions prevailing on the tract, show- 
ing how much timber can be cut now and progressively at differ- 
ent periods in the future if the forest is lumbered in a specified 
manner. 
(5) A study of the reproduction of the forest and a plan for 
cutting the merchantable timber in such a way that reproduction 
will be secured and the productive power of the forest will not be 
impaired. . 
(6) Directions for cutting so that there will be the least possi- 
ble waste and the least possible damage to young trees. 
(7) A plan for the protection of the forest against fire and theft. 
(8) A plan for a working force to manage the forest, including, 
when necessary, a superintendent, one or more inspectors, and 
rangers, according to the requirements of the particular tract. 
(9) On tracts where such operations will pay, forest working 
plans include directions for thinnings to open up the forest, and 
thereby improve the conditions of growth for the remaining trees, 
_and also plans for tree planting where advisable. 

