<>0 THE MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



composition from that in an nndrained hollow, and the ridge would be 

 differently wooded if it Avere sandy than if it were clay, hence would 

 need different treatment. However, the partly stocked woodlot, of what- 

 ever its soil and composition and drainage conditions, must first be 

 prepared for restocking, and then the replanting or restocking can be 

 done. Simple as this sounds, however, I am confident that the practical 

 forester will find no more ditlicult problem confronting him, in woodlot 

 practice at least, than our Michigan woodlots. It would seem perfectly 

 feasible in the southern part of the State to underplant the oak growth 

 of the ridges with hard maple, but in the whole region about Ann Arbor, 

 and west, the hard maple does not seem to thrive under the same con- 

 ditions which the oaks enjoy, and it seems probable that the two trees 

 would not do for a mixture in the way suggested. For the dryer and 

 more exposed slopes, the white and black and scarlet oaks and the hick- 

 ories, especially the white hickory and pignut, seem to be well adapted, 

 and Avhile the white pine is not a native of the extreme southern part 

 of the State, it does well when planted, and it is certain that it would 

 thrive in places where the deciduous trees make but very poor stands, 

 and it could be counted upon to give a good return. 



The first steps of the preparation for a better condition in the wood- 

 lot of this region are practically the same as those of the plain area, 

 but even a casual inspection shows a much Avorse state of affairs existing, 

 especially in the upland or forest types. It is not necessary to go into 

 details, but it is sufficient to say that in most cases these bits of the old 

 forest show that there is too much light reaching the ground and too 

 much drying wind blowing through them. Especially on slopes facing 

 the south and southwest is it true that these conditions are manifest. 

 The effects are apparent in the dense growth of grass and other herbace- 

 ous vegetation, in the scanty litter and compact, dry state of the sur- 

 face of the ground and in the almost entire absence of any reproduction. 

 It is evident that here the need of checking the sweep of the drying winds 

 is much greater than in the moister and denser woodlot in the flat land, 

 and a matter of the utmost importance is the establishment of a wind- 

 break which should be more denselj^ and carefully planted than in the 

 lower land, on the north and west sides, at least. Here again the hardy 

 conifers should be used if possible, but if it is not feasible to use them 

 on account of the cost, then the growth of shrubs and low branching 

 trees around the borders should be encouraged in every way possible. 

 It is needless to say here that in no stage in the attempt at the improve- 

 ment of a woodlot should grazing be allowed, for if the Avoodlot is already 

 poor, the cattle will make it Avorse, and if it is good, the pasturage will 

 be so poor that no profit Avill result from its use, Avhile the condition of 

 the trees Avill be loAvered. FolloAving the establishment of the Avindbreak 

 in the woodlot should come improvement cutting along lines already 

 suggested, but here it must be done more carefull}', since the crown 

 coA^er is already too thin, and as little cutting as feasible should be 

 carried on, probably only enough to remove dead trees and to free those 

 in danger of being overtopped and permanently injured. If it is i)ossible 

 to plant in young trees of good kinds, this should be done, but it should 

 "be remembered that but fcAV broad leaved types thrive under such condi- 

 tions, and care should be taken to plant the hardier and drought re- 

 sistant kinds. It is probable that the conifers may be used here to ad- 

 vantage, and the Norway spruce and the Avhite pine taken in preference 



