Graded Volume Tables. 9 



ods of utilization. Since an intensive study must be made of 

 natural and economic factors before applying volume tables in 

 a given region, and much depends inevitably upon the judgment 

 of the estimator, it would appear to be nearly as reliable to apply 

 a "blanket" discount to a table of average trees as to one based 

 entirely upon sound specimens. 



'A third source of unnecessary expense, in the construction of 

 volume tables, may result from the super-polishing of tables dur- 

 ing the process of tabulation. Recurving and replotting pro- 

 duce uniform results which are superficially attractive, but tend 

 to show a greater degree of accuracy than is justifiable. Fur- 

 thermore, in wiping out irregularities there is always the danger 

 of concealing the effects of natural and economic factors which 

 should be evident in a table standardized to given conditions. 

 Volume tables are not intended for the determination of the ex- 

 act contents of individual trees. When applied to many trees 

 irregularities due to a limited amount of basic data produce er- 

 rors that are largely compensating. 



The writers realize that the tables given below are open to 

 numerous criticisms. In the first place more attention should 

 have been given to the study of local methods of utilization and 

 their effect upon grades and volume. In all probability the com- 

 putation of grades for trees of each diameter was not justifiable. 

 However, in as much as these tables are purely experimental it 

 seemed wiser to record the grades than to express them in per 

 centages for groups of trees of different diameters. In using 

 the tables, the cruiser may combine the trees into such groups as 

 he thinks most useful, and quickly determine the percentages of 

 the grades for each group. It should be kept in mind that the 

 data for these tables were secured incidentally, in the course of 

 other investigations. 



Descriptiox of Local Conditions. 



I. Topography and Types. 



Topographically the region is composed of hills and ridges 

 lying between the spurs or branches of the southern extension 

 of the Green Mountains. These hills and ridges are interspersed 

 with numerous level and swampy tracts of considerable size. 

 As a result there is a great diversity of types. The steep upper 



