604 JOURNAI. OF FORESTRY 



by timely thinning the other stands might also have improved in growth, 

 beginning in the 15th to 20th year by freeing a final harvest crop, re- 

 peating the operation two or three times until the 20th year. Mer did 

 begin thinnings in 1886, somewhat later than desirable, leaving the 

 stoutest and the promising of the next class as possible substitutes for 

 final harvest crop, spacing them, as far as possible, evenly ; also pruning 

 dead branches of the trees of the first category. 



By appropriate measuring on sample plots the increment was deter- 

 mined by cutting and analyzing after a few years. The dominant class 

 showed some increased growth in diameter, but the second class had 

 practically stood still ; the operation had benefited only the most vigor- 

 ous specimens. The thinning, to be sure, was not severe, and the time 

 allowed for recovering was probably too short ; the crown had not had 

 time to lengthen and on some trees had in part died. 



The second thinning, made 10 years later, was made severe, giving a 

 position to the final harvest crop so that branches did not touch. The 

 effect was not better, showing the inability of the spruce to recover ; 

 the remedy came too late. 



Another series of thinnings on a planted 20 to 25 year stand showed 

 that volume and money can be made by timely thinning, having pro- 

 duced in 20 years after the thinning at the rate of 57 cubic feet and 

 $114 per acre more than the unthinned area. 



The author scores at length the foolhardiness of planting in large 

 operations a species where it does not occur naturally, in pure stands, 

 and which in its native habitat in the higher altitudes is so liable to 

 wind and snow breakages, with its sequel of bark beetles and rot. He 

 also discusses the possible management for regeneration of the fir 

 forests. 



From his experiences, the author is inclined to recommend planting 

 instead of sowing, mixing with fir, using 4 to 5 year-old spruces, set- 

 ting them 12 feet spaced, and when 15 to 20 years old setting out one 

 fir plant, 5 to 6 years old, between each two spruces, so that there will 

 be about 1,000 plants to the acre. 



The author enumerates nine advantages of this mixture and the use 

 of the spruce generally, namely, reduction of damage by wind and 

 snow ; surer natural regeneration ; better soil protection ; better produc- 

 tion, since the spruce is a more rapid grower and brings the same price 

 as fir, being of similar quality ; frost resistance of the spruce superior 

 to fir; ability of spruce to thrive in the open, from the standpoint of 

 light requirement mutually advantageous. Objections to the spruce are 

 not overlooked. It suffers from fungous diseases in wood and foliage 



