Periodical Literature 107 



That growth conditions are more favorable in Switzerland than 

 in Germany is shown by a comparison of yield tables. To be 

 sure, those of the alpine sites differ greatly from those of the hill 

 country. The comparison with the latter shows a great differ- 

 ence in numbers per acre, hardly any in height, but again con- 

 siderable difference in volimies. The following figures refer 

 to spruce on III site, the Swiss site, though corresponding in 

 height, producing at much better rate. 



Percent 



As regards sytems of management, Martin points out a differ- 

 ence of attitude regarding selection forest in Switzerland and 

 Germany. 



In the latter country, the objection to and the reduction of the 

 selection forest dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, with 

 Cotta and Hartig leading the objectors in the 19th century; the 

 acknowledged advantages of the system being decidedly out- 

 weighed by the disadvantages except in certain locations. 



In Switzerland the selection forest occupies over 35 per cent of 

 the total forest area, in private forest even over 41 per cent, and 

 many Swiss foresters sing its praise and the cantonal forest admin- 

 istration of Bern has stopped converting its selection forests into 

 even-aged timber forest. The soil, it is claimed, is best protected. 

 In a sample area, 186 per cent fir, 11 per cent spruce, 3 per cent 

 beech, by measuring crown diameters the crown cover per hectare 

 was found for the main stand (over 36 cm) 2702 qm, for the side 

 stand (21-35 cm) 3691 qm, for the undergrowth (12-21 cm) 2310 

 qm, to which add for the young reproduction 4500 qm, or alto- 

 gether a crown of 13,200 qm, i. e. one third of the hectare is twice 

 covered, which is possible only due to the tolerance of fir and its 

 ability to establish in the shade its yoimg generation. But such 

 conditions are by no means to be found everywhere, for instance 

 not in most German conditions, where deterioration of the soil 

 through undesirable undergrowth is frequently met. In the 

 selection forest assistance in this respect is impracticable, while 

 in the uniform forest with clearing this is possible by underplant- 



