190 Forestry Quarterly 



The ideal form of a compartment is the rectangle. The square, 

 however, is also desirable. Both of these practical forms are to 

 be found in actual practice, especially in the level regions of 

 Germany, e. g., the Ebersberg Park Forest near Munich. The 

 irregular polygon is the most frequent form one finds, especially 

 in mountainous regions where permanent features, such as main 

 roads, woods roads, railroads, water courses, ridges, boundaries 

 of exterior and interior properties, are used for subdivision lines. 

 One should always remember that too irregular com.partments 

 lessen the value of the subdivision, and increase the cost of its 

 construction and maintenance. 



In general, one must distinguish betv>^een subdivision in level 

 and mountainous regions. In level regions there is a tendency 

 toward straight-line subdivision, while in mountainous regions due 

 regard must be given to topography which requires a marked 

 deviation from the straight-line subdivision. Here, again, it is 

 advisable to keep in mind the words of Prof. Roth, who states 

 that the danger of subdivision in mountainous regions is twofold : 

 To make the lots (compartments) too large, and to make the 

 lines on all ridges too crooked. Most National Forests and State 

 forests are located in mountainous regions, hence special consid- 

 eration will be given to this type. Topographic maps are very 

 essential prerequisites to a careful and accurate subdivision. They 

 assist one in becoming acquainted with the character of the land 

 and in making the provisional demarcation of lx)undary lines. 

 The subdivision or boundary lines may be natural, artificial, or 

 a combination of both, but wherever possible the lines should be 

 placed upon permanent rather than temporary features. Of 

 prime importance for the subdivision of forests are streams and 

 river courses, deep ravines and valleys, mountain ridges, strips of 

 unproductive land, fields, sharply demarcated site-quality boun- 

 daries, permanent roads, streets, and telephone lines. Ridges and 

 valleys are the principal natural features used for subdivision. In 

 case a number of ridges run parallel to each other and have 

 projecting secondary ridges the subdivision is easier than where 

 they do not run parallel. In the valley a definite water course may 

 be taken as a subdivision line, and where it is not well defined it 

 may be straightened out, or artificial lines may be inserted inter- 

 mittently where the natural ones do not suffice. 



