rRELI.MIXARV REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA 309 



destructive, if not a criminal, procedure. The ultimate loss suffered 

 therefrom more than overbalances the apparent temporary benefit. Fur- 

 thermore, such 'a procedure tends to strengthen rather than weaken the 

 already too prevalent popular opinion that forest fires under certain 

 conditions are justifiable. The clear-cutting of existing growth, irre- 

 spective of whether or not the resulting material is burned, the stools 

 grubbed out, sculped ofif, or covered with ground, is too expensive an 

 operation and frequently the resulting growth conditions are still unsat- 

 isfactory. Partial — that is, selective — cutting prior to planting is more 

 recommendable than the former methods, but even this is more expen- 

 sive than necessary. Schlich* states that "all outlay on young woods 

 has a serious bearing on the financial result by the time the wood is 

 harvested ; hence it should be kept as low as is compatible with effi- 

 ciency." 



The writer wishes to submit the following method of procedure as 

 silvicultu rally satis factor}- and economically recommendable : 



1. Minimize and, if possible, avoid preplanting treatment of the planting site. 



2. Plant not more than 600 to 1,000 seedlings, preferably 2-year stock, under- 

 neath the existing shrubby growth. It is better to use the difference in cost 

 between seedlings and transplants in tending the trees after the}- are established 

 on the planting site than to spend it in the nursery. Our planting records show 

 that 2-year seedlings establish themselves as satisfactorily as any transplants. 

 They cost less, are transported more cheaply, handled easier in the brush, and 

 planted more readily than the larger transplants, the latter requiring almost equal 

 assistance to get "over the top." 



3. About two or three j-ears after the establishment of the plantation assistance 

 cuttings should begin. 



4. The first assistance cutting may take the form of a partial — that is, selec- 

 tive — cutting. All the sprouts, except one to each stool, should be cut. The uncut 

 sprout will retard subsequent sprouting. The removed sprouts should be cut low, 

 for the planted trees have not yet attained a great height. 



5. A second assistance cutting is usually required. This should be less com- 

 plete and may be at a higher level than the former. In many instances lopping 

 off the interfering branches will suffice. In case the existing growth is unusually 

 vigorous, a third assistance cutting may be required. This, however, is rarely 

 necessary if the first two arc properly timed and carefully executed. 



The foregoing outline insures a satisfactory establishment and early 

 development of valuable timber trees on areas now occupied by worth- 

 less shrubby species, and promises that the accomplishment thereof will 

 not require an excessive expenditure of money. Schlich's^ supporting 

 point of view justifies being quoted. He writes that "in considering 



* Schlich, Sir William : Silviculture, 4th edition, p. 293. 

 ^ Schlich, Sir William : Silviculture, 4th edition, p. 292. 



