1484 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



good pasture or good woods; the eombination of the two uses does not 

 work well. 



It is sometimes said that fire does no injury unless it kills trees of mer- 

 chantable size. The fact is that even light surface fires may do great 

 injury by killing young growth. 



A little care in felhng trees will often save many thrifty seedlings and 

 saplings. 



I Even after every care is taken to favor the natural growth of young 

 trees, it is often well to help out by some planting. This is especially 

 true where many of the trees are not of the best kinds. 



Quality of trees 



Poor kinds of trees should be discouraged and good kinds favored when- 

 ever timber is being cut or new trees started. Not only should the poor 

 kinds be removed, but also poor specimens of good kinds, such as decaying 

 or crooked trees. Whenever possible, such trees should be cut instead of 

 the best ones. Do not take out the clover and leave the thistles ! 



Rapidity of growth 



The income from the woodlot depends largely on how fast the timber 

 grows. Aside from climate, the rate of growth depends principally on three 

 things: first, the species, or kinds, of trees that are being raised; second, 

 the moistness and mellowness of the soil; and third, the amount of light 

 that the tree receives. 



Species. — When choosing species to be favored or planted, their rate of 

 growth should be considered. For example, among fence-post trees red 

 cedar grows slowly, locust rapidly. 



Soil conditions. — Soil moisture and the mellowness of the soil strongly 

 influence the rate of growth. The growth of timber depends more on 

 these things than it does on the richness of the soil in plant food. A mel- 

 low, moist, and well-drained soil is best for the forest. 



The best way to keep the soil moist and mellow is to keep a layer of 

 leaf litter on the ground. The litter serves as a mulch in holding mois- 

 ture ; it keeps the soil mellow by supplying organic matter ; and it acts as 

 a fertilizer by returning large amounts of plant food to the soil. Every 

 effort should be made to keep a leaf mulch on the ground, except when 

 trying to get new trees started from seed scattered by neighboring timber. 

 ' Fire, sun, and wind are likely to destroy the leaf mulch. Slight surface 

 fires do great harm by burning off the mulch, even if no trees are directly 

 hurt; therefore care should be taken to keep fire out. If much sunlight 

 reaches the ground it causes rapid decay of the litter; for this reason, 

 openings in the forest should be filled quickly, so that the ground is kept 

 well shaded. Wind destroys the leaf mulch by blowing the leaves so that 



