RESEARCH METHODS IN STUDY OF FOREST ENVIRONMENT. 3 
and physiological science. The first contact with its enemies and 
biotic aids leads into mycology and zoology. Investigation of the 
effect of environment upon the tree necessarily involves considera- 
tion of geology and soils, physics and chemistry, climatology and 
solar radiation, as well as the biology of the tree's living companions. 
In measuring the volume and growth of tree and stands, as well as 
many of the conditions within and without the tree, there is need for 
mathematics somewhat beyond the elemental. And so on ad in- 
finitum. The present-day forester is keenly alive to the need for 
help from every possible source of scientific information. 
Unfortunately, the investigations undertaken by those trained in 
forestry must cover so wide a field, and are so often governed by- 
some practical, economic, and immediate necessity, that there is no 
time or opportunity, and often a lack of the necessary training, for 
delving into the fundamental problems of the undertying sciences. 
It is therefore in keeping with the needs of forestry and the spirit 
of the times to call the attention of scientists in every line to the 
problems that confront foresters and to seek the cooperation of such 
scientists in solving them. 
"While the present bulletin is designed primarily for the aid of 
forest investigators — those who are giving all of their time to for- 
estry — it is hoped that it will be suggestive to a great many others 
of problems well worthy of their serious study. An effort must be 
made to show to such workers the ways in which forestry is weak 
and as exactly as possible the nature of the problems with which 
foresters are confronted. To trained scientific workers the discus- 
sion of methods with which they are already more than familiar 
will seem unnecessary. To others familiar with the problems of for- 
estry and perhaps almost overwhelmed by their magnitude it is hoped 
the same discussions may bring needed suggestions of a technical 
nature. 
A method of investigation is to the scientist what a tool is to a 
mechanic. The point of view of the investigator, determined by his 
past experience, knowledge of facts, and philosophy, is to him what 
manual skill is to the mechanic. The investigator, like the mechanic, 
to be thoroughly effective, must be able on occasion to make new 
tools for new and special purposes. 
Any suggestion of a handbook, presenting cut-and-dried methods 
by which research is to be conducted, would be repugnant to the true 
investigator. The aim of this bulletin must be to clarify the problems 
so that the investigator may readily choose for himself the method 
of approach, and not so much to recommend as to enumerate methods 
and equipment, describing their past accomplishments. If the fol- 
lowing discussions do not hold strictly to this point, it should be 
