YOUNG GROWTH ON CUT-OVER LAND 913 



$10 per acre in second growth. Young growth existing on cut-over 

 land may therefore be reasonably considered as having a material value 

 in addition to the basic value of the land. 



In starting the field examination of these lands it was expected to 

 find areas with only fir and cedar reproduction. On the contrary no 

 plots were found in classes one and two having less than 15 per cent of 

 sugar or western yellow pine reproduction. The pines seem able to 

 outgrow the other young trees and it was considered by the field men 

 that this proportion of pine would ultimately give about the same type 

 of stand as the original. Another interesting point brought out by the 

 field survey was the considerable number of thrifty trees over 12 inches 

 in diameter, that will add materially to a second cut and provide seed 

 for further restocking. In that portion of the tract classified as class 

 one, 85 per cent of the 2J^-acre plots had one or more trees of this 

 character, and 36 per cent of the plots had at least five thrifty pines 

 per plot. The average numbers per acre for the class one area were 

 •1.1 pines and 1.0 fir or cedar. About 81 per cent of the class two 

 plots had one or more thrifty trees and 20 per cent had five or more 

 pines. The averages per acre were about 0.9 pines and 0.8 fir and cedar. 



• .^.^0 DISCUSSION 



By F. G. -Miller 



This article touches a vital phase of the land exchange problem. The 

 principle of placing a value on reproduction for purposes of exchange 

 is economically sound, and would encourage regulated cutting on the 

 part of private owners. The chief objective of the land exchange plan 

 is to secure an increased acreage of young tree growth. As Islr. Berry 

 points out, the Government expends money to secure reproduction on 

 its own lands, and why should it not make a money consideration for 

 3^oung growth, already established on lands which it seeks to add to its 

 holdings ? 



The importance of such a policy is shown in the situation as it now 

 exists in the white pine belt of north Idaho. Here, as is well known, 

 the indi^'idually-owned timber is protected from fire by various private 

 associations. Since holding for a second cut does not appeal to the 

 membership of these associations as a class, there is a tendency on the 

 part of the members to drop out as soon as their lands are logged ofif, 

 and thus cease to pay for their protection. These lands are not reverting 

 for the taxes, but are l^eing held with the expectation that thev can be 



