rvations (exclusive of
the Afognak Forest and Fish Culture Reserve in Alaska), embracing an
estimated area of 40,719,474 acres. During the past year two of the
existing forest reserves, the Trabuco Canyon (California) and Black
Hills (South Dakota and Wyoming), have been considerably enlarged, the
area of the Mount Rainier Reserve, in the State of Washington, has been
somewhat reduced, and six additional reserves have been established,
namely, the San Francisco Mountains (Arizona), the Black Mesa (Arizona),
Lake Tahoe (California), Gallatin (Montana), Gila River (New Mexico),
and Fish Lake (Utah), the total estimated area of which is 5,205,775
acres. This makes at the present time a total of thirty-six forest
reservations, embracing an estimated area of 46,021,899 acres. This
estimated area is the aggregated areas within the boundaries of the
reserves. The lands actually reserved are, however, only the vacant
public lands therein, and these have been set aside and reserved for
sale or settlement in order that they may be of the greatest use to
the people.

Protection of the national forests, inaugurated by the Department of
the Interior in 1897, has been continued during the past year and much
has been accomplished in the way of preventing forest fires and the
protection of the timber. There are now large tracts covered by forests
which will eventually be reserved and set apart for forest uses. Until
that can be done Congress should increase the appropriations for the
work of protecting the forests.

The Department of Agriculture is constantly consulting the needs of
producers in all the States and Territories. It is introducing seeds and
plants of great value and promoting fuller diversification of crops.
Grains, grasses, fruits, legumes, and vegetables are imported for all
parts of the United States. Under this encouragement the sugar-beet
factory multiplies in the North and far West, semitropical plants are
sent to the South, and congenial climates are sought for the choice
productions of the far East. The hybridizing of fruit trees and grains
is conducted in the search for varieties adapted to exacting conditions.
The introduction of tea gardens into the Southern States promises to
provide employment for idle hands, as well as to supply the home market
with tea. The subject of irrigation where it is of vital importance to
the people is being carefully studied, steps are being taken to reclaim
injured or abandoned