41 



The first requirement in the management of any property is that 

 its condition be known and recorded. Hence, in placing a tract of 

 forest land under management a survey is necessary. The object of 

 ^uch a survey is to have maps showing, 



1. Outside boundaries. 



2. Koads, rivers, railroads, and other means of transportation. 



3. Lines between different localities having different laws, or 

 which come under different jurisdiction, as county and township 

 lines. Interior tracts of forest land, and land upon which any rights 

 are reserved. 



4. Contour lines and configuration. 



5. Differences of soil. Whether agricultural, forest, or unpro- 

 ductive. 



6. Fire lanes. 



7. Cleared land within the tract. 



8. Types of forest. 



9. Any special land marks which may be noted. 



In connection with these maps there should be a general descrip- 

 tion of forest, climatic, and surrounding conditions, of possible dan- 

 gers, of market and labor conditions, and of means of transportation. 



After this work has been done and one knows the condition of the 

 forest, a division may be made into lots and aggregation of lots into 

 ranges. In Pennsylvania, where most of the State forest land is in 

 mountainous districts, division lines should follow the configuration 

 of the soil. Difference of soil or character of growth within lots 

 gives rise to sublots. 



A valuation survey should then be made, ascertaining amounts of 

 standing timber, rate of growth on various sites, and determining 

 capability of production and future yield in material and money. 



All these preparations should be made before a plan of management 

 IS determined. After one knows what can be expected from the for- 

 est, general plans should be made for all time, and special plans for 

 a period of from ten to twenty j^ears. The length of rotation should 

 be determined and amounts to be cut should be designated, stating 

 lots to be cut, with view of obtaining favorable distribution of age 

 classes. Thinnings should be made, and methods determined to be 

 used in felling and culture. 



DISPOSAL OF FIRE-KILLED TIMBER. 



PAUL H. MULFORD, Forester. 



A fire running through a forest often assumes proportions that 

 cause great damage to the roots of trees, burning the humus and 

 ground floor, often burning the roots themselves, thus leaving the 



