Zl^ Forestry Quarterly. 



often light demanding and unadapted to a true selection system, 

 it is probable that this will, as time goes on, more nearly ap- 

 proach a system of reproduction under shelterwood except where 

 a strip or group system is used. However this may be, the fact 

 remains that in those regions the smaller trees cannot now be* 

 utilized in most places, and that they are of sufficient value in 

 themselves and for furnishing seed to warrant saving even at 

 considerable cost. The small trees are at least as apt to be of the 

 most valuable local species for the situation as not. Moreover, 

 horse logging, the prevailing method, makes it entirely possible 

 to save them. 



In Western Washington and Oregon all these conditions are 

 different so far as the old mature stands, covering most of the 

 National Forests, are concerned. In the first place, the young 

 and immature trees consist almost entirely of inferior species, 

 principally hemlock and the true firs of insignificant value for 

 present or future purposes as compared with the old stands. In 

 the second place, the logging methods necessary to remove the 

 enormously heavy old trees do not permit of saving young growth. 

 The largest percentage of this young growth must inevitably be 

 crushed by felling the old timber, and by dragging out the heavy 

 logs. It is, therefore, evident that the application of the selection 

 method to the present stands (which will not be duplicated under 

 forest management) is impossible unless the forester be satisfied 

 vvith a stand containing only a partial stocking of very inferior 

 species. 



Since clear cutting methods must be used, regeneration of the 

 forest by natural methods can be accomplished only through the 

 use of seed trees in groups, or singly, or by cutting in strips. 

 Foresters who have had the most experience on the ground, have 

 come to believe that artificial regeneration is the cheapest method 

 of renewing forests in this region, following cutting, whether it 

 gives the best stands or not. The following facts are the basis 

 for this belief. Douglas fir, which is the most important species 

 to encourage in this region, contains in the stands where cutting 

 is now taking place on the National Forests, from 2,000 to 5,000 

 bd. ft. to the tree even in the smallest trees in the stand. Since, 

 in view of the fact that a large proportion of the trees left for 

 seed are sure to be blown down soon after the surrounding stand 

 is removed, it will surely be necessary in order to ensure even ap- 



