LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOREST SERVICE, Washington, D. C., July 17, 1906. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript entitled "The Forest Service: What it is and How it Deals with Forest Problems," and to recommend its publication as a revision of Circular No. 36 of the Forest Service. The figure which accompanies the manuscript is necessary for a proper understanding of the subject. TO THE PUBLIC. The Forest Service exists to promote forestry throughout the whole country, for every practical purpose and for the benefit of all. Its knowledge, advice, and cooperation are at the disposal of all forest users. Those who desire to practice forestry on their timberlands or woodlots should apply for Circular No. 21, which explains the temrs of cooperation offered. Those who desire to plant or improve forest plantations should apply for Circular No. 22, which explains the cooperative, terms offered for this work. Following the necessary official action on the part of any State, cooperative studies of State forest problems will be undertaken. Questions about the forest reserves, about tree species, about the strength, mechanical qualities, preservative treatment, or commercial use of woods, about woods for special purposes, as well as about forests, forest products, and the industries depending upon them, will be carefully answered. Information upon forest legislation may be sought. All communications should be addressed to THE FORESTER, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, (4) WASHINGTON, D. C. United States Department of Agriculture, FOREST SERVICE—Circular No. 36 (Second Edition) GIFFORD PINCHOT, Forester. THE FOREST SERVICE: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT DEALS WITH FOREST PROBLEMS. "Forest Service" has been the name since July 1, 1905, of that branch of the Department of Agriculture which was previously called the "Bureau of Forestry," and, earlier still, the "Division of Forestry." Since February 1, 1905, the Forest Service has been charged, under the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, with the administration of the National forest reserves. About the management of the reserves, therefore, the work of the Service now centers. The reserves whose area on July 18, 1906, was 107,305,707 acres, are of vital importance for their timber and grass and for the conservation of stream flow. They are so managed as to develop their permanent value as a resource by use. Earlier opposition toward them, based on the belief that preservation would prevent use, has changed with the understanding of their real object to approval and support. The last valid objections to their establishment and maintenance have been removed by the Agricultural Settlement law of June 11, 1906, and by a clause in the agricultural appropriation bill for the year 1906-7. By the first, agricultural land in forest reserves, if classified as chiefly valuable for agriculture, listed in the local land office, and opened by the Secretary of the Interior, may be taken up by home builders. Many small tracts of agricultural lands, scattered here and there along creeks and valleys, have unavoidably been included in reserve boundaries, though the utmost care secured the elimination of all large bodies of such land. when the boundaries were drawn. The need of such a law as that of June 11 was clearly seen, and its passage was secured. The so-called "ten per cent clause" of the agricultural appropriation bill provides that States having reserves are to receive ten per cent of the gross receipts from the reserves within their boundaries, to be distributed among the counties in which the reserves lie and devoted to public schools and roads. Many counties have much of their area, in some cases more than half, in reserves, and this land is |