GVII-14 
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING 
and S. H. Spurr, Lake States Forest Experiment Station, University Farm, St. 
Paul 1, Minnesota. 
2. John O. Eichler, M. C. E., Assoc. Professor of Engineering and Harry 
Tubis, Instructor in Photogrammetry, The Cooper Union, School of Engineer 
ing, New York 3, N. Y., have prepared a 28-page publication for presenting to 
students some basic considerations about aerial surveys. It attempts to accom 
plish this by a series of laboratory problems in photogrammetry and photo 
interpretation. 
The so-called “Kit” consists of 28 pages of text material, is divided into 
five chapters and is bound in a paper folder. In a back cover pocket are six 
9"X9" contact aerial photos, two control overlays and a photo index. 
Chapter I covers “Planning and Executing the Photographic Flight,” 
Chapter II, “Basic Photo Interpretation,” Chapter III, “Selected Problems in 
Photogrammetry,” Chapter IV, “Radial Line Plotting,” Chapter V, “Compila 
tion of Mosaics.” 
3. In late 1955 the Society of American Foresters’ Forestry Handbook came 
off the press after eight years in the making. This monumental authoritative 
document had an editorial board of 145 consulting and contributing editors, 
including foresters, administrators, research workers and educators. 
One whole section, 27 pages, is on aerial photography. It comprehensively 
covers the general uses of aerial photos in forestry, other problems of obtaining 
and handling aerial photos, and photo specifications. Types and kinds of photos 
are discussed. Stereoscopy is covered in a very interesting manner. Measure 
ments are discussed by covering the geometry of the aerial photograph, meas 
urements of area, slope, tree heights, crown diameter and stand density. Map 
making briefly covers the essentials of such as radial line triangulation, plani- 
metric detail, topographic detail and locating ground points on photos. 
The discussion of stand classification from aerial photos covers species, type 
and site identification. Combined aerial and ground forest surveys are dis 
cussed under area determination by mapping. Photo sampling, adjustments of 
area estimates, ground plots needed, locating ground plots and volume com 
putations are outlined. Last but not least is a discussion of estimating volume 
direct from aerial photos. Every forester interested in photo interpretation 
should be familiar with this section of the Forestry Handbook. 
Research 
PHOTO INTERPRETATION RESEARCH WANTED 
A growing reservoir of research is the only assurance of continued progress in 
photo interpretation. This pool of ideas, techniques and knowledge is subject to 
continued filtering to photo interpreters; all progress is limited to concepts drawn 
from this reservoir. 
The development of new equipment or new methods depends upon ideas 
and techniques created by research. There first appears an awareness of a need. 
This results in looking toward agencies for equipment or techniques to meet 
the need. These agencies, in turn, call upon the work of research (not exclusively 
today’s but also generally accepted facts of today resulting from research of 
years ago). From this field of existing knowledge and tools are pieced together 
the equipment or techniques that satisfy the requirement. 
In the complexity of present society, research is rarely a one-man job. Con 
ferences between researchers working in the same area, and designed to promote 
the sharing of ideas, skills, and goals, are now common and almost requisite. 
The recognition of the impingement of disciplines, one on the other, demands,