The evening times., 1900-06-12

In view of the great importance that
IN the last few years has come generally
10 be attached to the subject of tree cul-
ture, a bulletin issued today by the Di
vision Of Forestry OF the Department of
Agriculture will be read with much in
terest. The bulletin reads in part as fol-
lows:
las is well known. tie tree claims OF
tho prairies Of the West, while accession
ally successful. have nearly all proved
failures. This is accounted for by the
fact that hitherto the requirements Of the
trees planted were not known TO the plant
ers. This spring, however, thirty-three
planting plans have gone into operation
as a result OF the offer of the Division of
Forestry, and during the summer similar
plans will probably be completed for over
100 more of those who have applied for
them. These plans furnish the owners of
the lands for which they made with
detailed Instructions for planting. and rec
Ommend the species best adapted TO each
tract
"Of the applications for advice and plant
ing plans, 80 per cent have come from the
treeless regions Of Texas. Oklahoma. Kan
sas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. The re-
suits of the first investigations of the di-
vision in these regions are about TO appear
in print as Bulletin No p OF the division,
under the title Practical Tree Planting in
Operation This bulletin reviews the gen.
eTal situation in what may be called the
tTee-planting region The sort of wosk il
outlines viii be followed up vigorously
this summer.
ms a further result of its work IN help
10 tree planters, the Division of Forestry
will place two or three field parties in the
plains region of the West after july l.
These will study the encroachment Of
trees on the plains, and will also estimate
by valuation surveys the kinds. growth,
and size of trees in planted groves This
work Will give for the first time ap-
proximate estimate of the volume and
yield of planted trees. and of the actual
timber value of forest plantations in the
United States.
To Investigate Soil Cover.
"A field party from the Division of For
estry is about to start fer Southern Cali
fornia to make a detailed investigation
OF the soil cover OF the watershed at the
headwaters of the Mohaye River.
preliminary investigation Of this water
shed was made in october, 1893, when II
was ascertained that comprehensive data
regarding precipitation, run of, wind
velocity, and evaporation, covering pc
riOd of several years, had been recorded.
1t was further ascertained that the wa
tershed in question included secondary
drainage basins representing different
types of soil cover, varying from dense
forest to open chaparral.
Conditions appear to be particularly
favorable toward undertaking the sOlu-
tion of tie important problem of the re-
iation of soil cover 10 the run of of
streams. The party now going into the
field is to investigate the soil cover. in
cluding forest and chaparral growth on
all DarTS no dat
regarding soil cover obtained for each of
the secondary drainage basins will later
be compared with the data available re-
garding rainfall and run off from the
same basins.
1T is thought that the investigation
will result in the possibility of arriving
at a scientific conclusion regarding the
relation OF soil cover to run on.
Grazing in Forest Reserves.
The investigation of the question Of
grazing in forest reserves has been begun
My Clifford Pinchot. forester, and Mr. Co
vile, the botanist. of the Department Of
Agriculture, who are now studying the con-
ditions In Arizona. About July 1 the work
Will be extended to the Big Horn. Wash
fngton, Mount Rainier, Uintah Gila River,
and the Yellowstone Park Timber Land
Reserves, and to those in the Sierras and
in southern California. The letter of in
field agents by the Secretary, indicates the
spirit and thoroughness with which the
investigation will be carried OF. Among
other things. the letter says:
- Grazing IN the national forest reserves
being one Of the most important os all the
questions which relate TO them. viii nat
urally form a chief subject OF the above
mentioned reports. In the necessary inves-
legations and in preparing these reports
have the honor to request that special at
tcntion be given to the following phases
Of the subject:
- 1. The grazing industry in the forest
reserves in relation to taxation aid the
general prosperity OF specified localities
.. The relation Of grazing to forest
fires.
80. The relation of grazing to the pres
ervation and reproduction of forests.
4. The relation Of grazing &c irriga-
tlon and water supply.
3. The relative effect CT grazing by
various kinds of stock.
' g. Moderate grazing and overgrazing in
forest reserves.
Just now public interest in forest
grazing is exceedingly keen. Great in
dustrieS viii be affected by a decision to
permit or prohibit il in the forest re-
serves or in any part of them. The pos
sibiliues fOT public and private gain or
loss are large Radical differences of
honest opinion are frequent. and test:-
mony both that grazing Injuries the for
est and the interests that depend upon
it, and that it does not. is forcible and
abundant. While you should hear both
rides fully, and should avail yourselves
Of whatever friendly assistance you may
require ;'nd either side may offer. your
report must be based on your own per
Sonal observations. The statements of
interested parties should be tested in all
cases by comparison with the facts you
have yourself ascertained at first hand on
the range. II is of the first Importance
that you should know the range thorough
zzs;ss ~ q -sSs.N