PRELIMINARY REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA 311 



March the job was finished. The forester did not only succeed in hav- 

 ing the hindering advance growth removed, but he reaHzed a net return 

 of more than $2 per acre. 



This was a commendable accomplishment and in a measure assisted 

 the struggling plantation; but the paper birch, trembling aspen, and 

 large-toothed aspen still remained. During the survey of the wood- 

 using industries the forester learned of six celery farms, located about 

 six miles from the plantation, which used about 30,000 crates annually. 

 An interview with the celery growers was arranged for, with the result 

 that they agreed to use local wood instead of buying it from southern 

 lumber companies, providing it nailed easily, held nails well, and did 

 not warp too badly. A hasty investigation proved that the wood of 

 paper birch and the two aspens gave satisfactory results. A market 

 had been created for the material, but there was still a missing link. 

 The raw material must be prepared for the market. The forester con- 

 tinued his survey and soon found a local sawmill operator who was 

 willing to manufacture the crating material and contract for the ad- 

 vance growth at 25 cents per 2-foot cord stumpage, an equivalent of 50 

 cents per standard cord. Thus the plantation was not only freed from 

 the interfering advance growth free of any cost, but a net stumpage 

 price of almost $4 per acre was secured for the celery-crate and birch- 

 oil material. This successful experiment is offered as a good and 

 practical example of applied silviculture. 



