28 JOI'RXAL Ol- r"OKE:STRV 



ence in original densities between the two stands compared on a basis 

 of all trees found on the area to a lower diameter limit of 2 inches 

 (breast high) may serve to reduce the apparent difference. The density 

 of the uncut area was found to be approximately 280 trees per acre, 

 and that of the cut-over area previous to logging 225 trees per acre. 

 This indicates the uncut area is denser by at least 20 per cent, but the 

 figures show that the average crown for the cut-over area is approxi- 

 mately 185 per cent greater than that for the uncut area. A compari- 

 son of the mean annual diameter growth of the hemlock on the uncut 

 for the period of its life up to 191 5 and the hemlock on the cut-over 

 area for the same period shows a difference in growth of 143 per cent 

 in favor of the cut-over area. The crowns of the trees in the uncut 

 area disclosed no such thickening by additional twigs as did those of 

 the cut-over area. The larger crown sizes and the evident increase in 

 the width of the annual rings for the hemlock on the thinned areas are 

 correlated and indicate increased vigor. 



The data collected show the majority of the injuries received by the 

 hemlock to be healed. Some of the old branch stubs were found en- 

 tirely occluded by the rapid growth, a further evidence of increased 

 vigor. Most of the frost cracks were found healed on the cut-over 

 area, while on the uncut area the majority found were unhealed. 



In comparing the infected and uninfected trees of both areas (Table 

 i), another point which may indicate the effect of thinning is noted. 

 On the cut-over area, out of a total of 57 trees, 19, or 33 per cent, were 

 found to be sound and 38, or dj per cent, were infected in varying 

 degree by the fungus Bchinodontium tinctorium. On the uncut area, 

 out of a total of 120 trees, only 4, or 3 per cent, w'ere found to be 

 sound, while 116, or 97 per cent, were infected in varying degree by 

 the same species of fungus. 



The comparison of the sporophore data in Table i for the two areas 

 gives the following: On the cut-over area 32 per cent of the total 

 sporophores found gave evidence of being alive, while 68 per cent were 

 unable to continue alive, the majority drying out and dying after a 

 period of from i to 3 years. The uncut area shows 88 per cent of the 

 total sporophores alive and only 12 per cent dead, or 56 per cent more 

 live sporophores than on the cut-over area. Of the sporophoro-bear- 

 ing trees the cut-over area has 13 out of 57 trees, or 23 per cent, bear- 

 ing sporophores either live or dead or both, while the uncut area has 

 70 out of 120 trees, or 58 per cent. These data indicate that the greater 

 amount of infection is found on the uncut area, where the trees are 

 crowded and suppressed, than on the cut-over area, where the stand is 



