Some Aspects of European Forestry. 475 



areas have even reproduced naturally though this is too fortui- 

 tous to be made the basis of a method of management even under 

 the most extensive of conditions. 



The system of leaving scattered seed trees to aid in regenera- 

 tion and for the sake of additional increment, has been admirably 

 developed by the Chief Forester of Prince Liechtenstein, Ober- 

 forstrat Wiehl. He leaves 24 to 32 elite trees per acre, choosing 

 only the healthy, straight trees with full, rounded crowns. The 

 trees are chosen from among those whose diameter is less than 

 that of the arithmetical mean trees — i. e. they are smaller in 

 diameter than the average tree. Of hardwoods, oak, linden, 

 maple, ash, beech are the first choice ; of conifers, larch, pine, fir 

 and only in very sheltered places, spruce. In order to accustom 

 the trees to their future isolation, they are selected as far in ad- 

 vance as possible, marked by lightly chipping the bark in a ring 

 at breast-height and gradually freed from encroaching neighbors. 



Despite this preparation, however, wind. snow, frost, ice, sun- 

 scald, lightning stroke, fungus and insects levy a heavy toll so 

 that of the original 24 to 32 trees per acre only 10 or 12 usually 

 survive. Nevertheless, experience has shown the desirability of 

 the method in three directions — i, additional increment; 2, stimu- 

 lated seed-production, (because of the isolated position) thereby 

 assisting in regenerating the cutover area ; 3, the partial shade af- 

 forded by the reserves is highly beneficial to the young growth, 

 both natural and artificial, up to its thirtieth or fortieth year, 

 when the reserves would naturally be removed. The removal of 

 the reserves has not proved unduly injurious to the young growth, 

 except on very steep slopes. Finally, the leaving of scattered 

 seed trees, singly or in groups adds a peculiar charm to the 

 landscape, greatly mitigating the otherwise desolate appearance 

 of clear cut areas. 



However, these good efifects depend xtvy directly on the charac- 

 ter of the trees selected. Where, under pressure of the economic 

 conditions, only the "scrubs" are left, that is the gnarly, crooked, 

 suppressed, unmerchantable trees, but little good need be ex- 

 pected. True, they will furnish some shade, some increment, 

 and some seed, but the latter function is often directly undesir- 

 able. Other things being equal, the soundest seed is produced 

 by the soundest trees ; conversely unsound trees produce seed 

 that is, to say the least, undesirable. Just how far mechanical 



