Special evaluations of forest inventories for units that are smaller than the originally planned ones can in many cases only be derived with a large error of the estimate. The feasibilitv of using empirical Bayes estimators for the improvement of estimates for such smaller units is investigated with th'e first Swiss country-wide forest survey serving as an example. An introduction into the theory of empmcal Bayes estimators is given following a procedure that is based on the James Stein estimators and has been presented by Morris.
It has been possible in every instance to reduce the standard error of voiume and tree number estimates for the individual Swiss cantons. Deviations of individual means from the overall mean could be "shrunk" by somewhat less than 25 percent for tree number estimates and by 7 percent for such of the standing volume.
Possibilities for the application of Baves estimators are discussed using the example presented in the paper.