|) eG 
ie 
15 
growth. If to “what is” we add the conception of “ what ought to be,” 
timber land would include also, in a mountainous region at least, all 
that treeless area which, not fit for agriculture or not needed in the de- 
velopment of mines, etc., can and should bear a tree growth and _ pro- 
duce a timber crop. 
In this connection the report of Mr. Abbot Kinney on the forest con- 
dition of the southern counties of California will be read with interest, 
showing that the timber lands in which the state should be concerned 
do not always contain “ timber” of the kind in which the lnmberman or 
other private owner would interest himself. Tor the preservation of 
favorable hydrologic and agricultural conditions even care of the 
* chaparral” may be of service. 
To the student of the forest botany of the region the careful compila 
tion by Mr. George B. Sudworth, of the division, will be welcome. The 
main effort has been to so arrange and describe all the woody plants of 
the region that the layman may be enabled, without much unnecessary 
technical terminology, to get acquainted with them; but at the same 
time the scientific botanist will find much aid in such a compilation, for 
which all authorities have been carefully consulied and, after due sift. 
ing, a truthful statement of facts attempted. 
As it is the object of this bulletin to aid in forming a basis for intel- 
ligent forestry legislation, it seemed desirable to note what action had 
been attempted in the national legislature looking toward a better 
administration of the timber lands of the nation. 
Mr. Egleston, of the division, has, for this purpose, compiled a com- 
plete reference table to this kind of legislation, from which it appears 
that attempts to effect a change have not been unfrequent, although 
unsuccessful. No doubt the more pressing interests of the day have 
excluded from the halls of Congress proper consideration of the vital 
interests of the future. 
Since there does exist in the region a Government reserve of timbered 
country—though not by any means created with a view to the needs of 
forestry—it was desirable to give special information as to its conditions 
and its further needs at the hand of Government. No more competent 
writer for this task could have been found than Mr. Arnold Hague, for 
several years geologist-in-charge of the National Park; a man thoroughly 
acquainted with the ground, of broad views, and alive to the important 
interests depending on such timber reservations. The letter which he 
kindly consented to contribute, will, it is hoped, stir up an interest in 
those who, while in sympathy with the idea of the National Park, can 
not rise to the broader conception of national forestry. 
A chapter on snow-slides, prepared by the writer, will give an imper. 
fect intimation of what direct dangers may be expected from forest dev- 
astation in the mountains, and how to meet them. 
The concluding pages, kindly contributed by Mr. Parsons, will be 
read with interest by those who, in the plains of the region in question, 
