Eastern Region

Historic Daily Contact

^{KNOWLEDGE GAINED THROUGH THE YEARS}

In Region Nine, we attempted to learn in a few months what it took European foresters hundreds of years to discover. We came fairly close to the objective, but now the Chippewa has come through with a new planting method that may contribute to the success of our plantations. The planters use a grub hoe on that Minnesota forest, and dig a hole representing an inverted V which allows the roots to spread more successfully than in other accepted methods. Planting largely in furrows their best planter averaged 1,000 seedlings a day. The best crew averaged 675 seedlings a day while the average for the forest was 400. It is thought that the new method may be adopted rather widely by other forests.

^{THAT'S THAT FOR THE SPRING}

Spring planting throughout the Region is now practically finished. It has been reported here that a favorable distribution of rain throughout the northern part of the Region, together with cool weather, argues well for a bumper crop. However, it was pointed out that..., but why spoil the good prospects.

^{SCRATCHING THE WELL WORN BEAN}

The reduction in the number of camps, now in effect, will be reflected inthe seeding program this year. The Division of Timber Management finds it diffficult to predict the extent of the fall planting project due to the uncertainty of available man-power.

^{GETTING PLACES}

In a recent conference here inwhich William Trygg, personnel, met with the ECW inspectors the following fact was brought out that should warm the hearts of those interested in personnel training. Said the ECW men: "Training in four step and conference methods was the best help the field ever had along the lines of training". In the three northern states of the Region foreman claim that an average of 76 percent of their time is spent in training. A Supervisor recently stated that about 90 percent of his time was spent in training.

^{THE GOOD OLD DAYS(?)}

In connection with the present emphasis placed on training, one of the R.O. personnel insisted on telling the story of his first job in the Forest Service. Briefly his troubles were these: "I arrived at a small town in Region Blank and went to the Supervisor's office. They told me where to find a hotel and to come back in the morning. I had never worked for the Service before, never been in that section of the country before, never been in a Supervisor's office before, and so I did as I was told. In the morning I was told to catch a forest service truck. I didn't know where the truck was going, I didn't know where I was going, I didn't know what the score was but I caught the truck. Twenty-five miles further on we stopped at a group of forest service cabins. Eventually we had dinner. Eventually we had supper. Eventually I found a bunk and went to bed. I still didn't know where I was going, what I was supposed to do, or how I was to get there. In the morning I was told to catch another truck. I did. Twenty miles further on we stoppped at another cabin. Eventually we had dinner. Eventually we had supper. Eventually I found a bunk and again went to bed. This wasn't costing me anything but I still didn't have any idea where I was going. In the morning I was to told to follow a pack string. I followed it for 22 miles and ended up at a ranger station. I was fed. I was bedded down. I slept. I was too tired to care where I was going. The next day was Sunday. I ate three times and wondered constantly. On Monday I found out what the score was. The ranger told me how to get to a trail camp where a grub hoe was waiting for me." ACCORDING TO OUR SECTION OF PERSONNEL, TIMES ARE DIFFERENT NOW FROM THEN.

^{DOWN ON THE SHAWNEE}

Stanley B. Olson, ranger onthe Rosiclare district, made a formal presentation of one CCC barracks to the Gallatin County Farm Bureau. This barracks was formerly one of the Kedron Camp buildings. It is now used for meetings of the young people 4-H clubs, Gallatin County Farm Bureau and community groups.

^{OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT}

During the past few weeks a "fire prevention" essay contest has been sponsored by the Forest Service, State Conservation Department and the school faculty inthe Watersmeet (Michigan) school of the Ottawa national forest. More than 200 papers were submitted by pupils. Faculty members of the school selected the 30 best manuscripts and referred them to the judging committee which included a member of the school faculty and a representative of each of the forest services concerned. Cash prizes were awarded, the money being contributed by the school principal and Delene, Switzer, Staat, Hagan and Nelson of the Forest Service.

^{JOB LOAD ANALYSIS AND WORK PLAN PREPARATION}

A.F. Miller, Operation, left yesterday noon for Roanoke, Virginia to participate in a conference on job load analysis and work plan preparation. Region seven is taking the lead in this work according to recent instructions issued by the Washington office. Only a few weeks ago all of the R-7 Supervisors met for the purpose of receiving training. From that time on, most of the work has been done by the Supervisors with such direction and follow up as might be arranged by the Regional office. It is possible that some such plan will be followed in Region nine. Mr. Miller will also attend a conference at Monongahela, W.V., and will be gone about two weeks.

^{ODDS AND ENDS}

**C.B. Stott and W.S. Bromley of S&P Forestry conferred with R. Miller of the Forest Products Laboratory at Madison recently. Thy state that the final Phelps Mill Scale Study report will be out in about a month. The financial section of the Goodman (Lumber Company) report, which is now being completed, and other matters, were discussed at the one-day meeting.

**W.S. Bromley left Tuesday for Michigamme, Michigan to assist with the State and Private Forestry survey of the Ford Motor company and adjoining timber holdings. He will assist the cruisers for several weeks and make arrangements for the completion of the survey.

**Mary Hughes, Wild Life and Range Management, is leaving the Regional Office for Washington. She will report there for duty on June 7 in the Division of State and Private Forestry. Miss Hughes has been in this office since January, 1935 having previously worked in Regional and Supervisor's offices in Regions two and five. Mary Kunst of Fiscal Control will be her successor.

**According to J.B. Taylor, Personnel, the Civil Service Assembly that recently met in Chicago reported a great extension in the merit system. More separate agencies have adopted this system in the past year than in any other single year, including cities, counties and states.

**Stanley F. Wilson and Leslie S. Bean left recently to attend the Society meetings at Cincinnati. Shortly after their departure a message was received here that Mr. Bean's Mother had suffered a relapse from a recent illness. Mr. Bean was contacted in Cincinnati. The Region extends its sympathy and trusts that the illness will be of short duration.

ACTING: Fenger. DETAIL: Barker, Personnel Section, W.O. Watson-L.S.E.S.

FIELD: Bean, Wilson-Society Meeting, Cincinnati; Groesbeck-Chequamegon; Watts, Elkins-Chippewa; Trygg, Hill, Adams-Wayne; Donery-Upper Mich.; Wood & Stone-Gardner; Miller-R-7; Leavitt-R-2; Johns, White-Manistee; Anderson-Ottawa; Stott-St. Paul; Bromley-Michigamme, Mich.; March-Mount-Ohio.