THE CUT - OVER LAND PROBLEM i 

 By D. p. TiernEy 



One of the promising things in every forest region where the use of 

 cut-over lands is a problem is the large acreage of well-stocked young 

 forest. This is particularly impressive in the Lake States, the South, 

 and East. The control and management of these areas, to my mind, 

 offers the very best opportunity for starting a progressive forest policy. 

 It is obvious that quick returns will be obtained from these areas, and 

 that with a minimum outlay of money. There is no need to wait for 

 land classification nor for laws and regulations that will bring about 

 conservative logging ; and artificial restocking of once forested areas 

 will be encouraged and undertaken in time on a large enough scale to 

 keep pace with cutting. 



There are many millions of acres of thrifty young coniferous and 

 hardwood forest that only require protection and care. The owners 

 give none, because they consider such stands of no value. Often the 

 land itself is regarded as of little value. There are no means at 

 present adequately to protect the economic welfare of the State by 

 safeguarding this class of forest growth from indiscriminate cutting 

 and waste. Effective measures of fire protection even cannot be ap- 

 plied. There is just the hope that it will escape destruction and con- 

 tinue to grow. If public sentiment will favor any measure looking to 

 future timber production, certainly a course of action not involving 

 wholesale purchase of so-called devastated lands, with expensive plant- 

 ing operations at a heavy initial cost, but one which gives the desired 

 results at a low expenditure should be acceptable. 



To illustrate this situation : There is now a great deal of interest in 

 the pulpwood supply. Some efforts are being made by operators to 

 provide for the future by planting and by selective cutting. Through- 

 out the pulpwood districts of the Lake States, Canada, and the Eastern 

 States, there are great non-agricultural areas in swamps bearing small 

 spruce that under existing conditions grows very slowly. By con- 

 trolling drainage; the rate of growth can be so accelerated as to make 

 these areas very productive. Here, then, is a potential resource of 



^Read before the Saint Paul Section of the Society, March 8, 1920. 

 498 



