11 



■■rsM- 



Improvement Cutting. 



Cutting operations wliich aim to overcome the above defects, namely, weed 

 trees, inferior species, defective and overmature trees, are spoken of as '' improve- 

 ment cuttings." 



In the farm woodlot all cutting for firewood should be made from such trees. 

 It is not to be understood that it is advisable to go through the woods and cut 

 down all the above mentioned trees without regard to the future of the area thus 

 cut over. The first consideration should he to protect the soil, that is, do not cut 



Fig. 6. — White Pine, planted in open spot in tlie woodlot. 



down a tree or a group of trees unless you are certain that there will follow an- 

 other crop. If you do not get reproduction the following season it is almost cer- 

 tain that grass and weeds will come in and the soil will soon lose its valuable 

 character as related to tree growth. Whether you can depend on the area repro- 

 ducing from the seed of neighboring trees or whether it will be necessary to use 

 artificial means can only be judged by local considerations. 



Thin Borders and Open Spots. 



The borders of woodlots become thin owing to various factors. This outside 

 portion of the woods is more subject to winds and storms which cause windfalls, 

 dry out the soil and blow away the leaves which should go to form vegetable motild. 

 Frequently the border is overcut, as the owner does not trouble going to the in- 



