420 Forestry Quarterly 



Like the proposed systems of Gayer, Ney, Wagner and Mayr 

 this latest one is artificial. Moreover, it is based upon but a few 

 experiments in the field. The real value of these systems must 

 not, however, be measured by how widely Gayer's Femelschlag, or 

 Ney's Ringfemel, or Wagner's Blendersaumschlag are applied to 

 German forests. The value of the systems proposed by these men 

 is in the detailed, incisive criticism which they have called forth 

 against a purely formal treatment of the forest. In propounding 

 their favorite systems they have penetrated to the bottom of the basic 

 principles of silviculture. They have applied forest ecology as it 

 never has been applied before. In a striking manner they have 

 shown the relation between certain practices and the results 

 which they produced and have formulated most excellent codes 

 of directions and advice in dealing with both systems. 



No system can claim universal application. Each system will 

 be accepted only in so far as it proves of service to the conservative 

 practice of forestry. As Reuss has pointed out, the safest proced- 

 ure is to consider what method is best adapted to the fundamental 

 laws of Nature and the economic needs of the community. When 

 once arrived at, this method becomes the ideal towards which the 

 forester should elowly work. 



The result of all this excellent literatiire upon the ideal selection 

 system will be that foresters will turn more to natural reproduction 

 and the formation of uneven-aged mixed stands in localities where 

 conditions will warrant. Before applying any system, foresters 

 who have read these works will try to emulate these modern masters 

 and thoroughly investigate the natural laws which are involved. 



The Progress of Investigations in Forest Ecology in the United States 



In tracing the development of forestry in the United States we 

 are impressed with the fact that ecological investigations have had 

 to give way to the more important problems of forest organization 

 and administration. A brief sketch of the federal forest policy 

 will illustrate this point. It is desirable to mention three periods 

 in the development of the forest policy of the nation and to speak 

 of the development of ecological investigations in each period. 



In 1876, Congress created the office of Commissioner of Forestry. 

 The period from 1876 to 1891 may well be characterized by the 

 term meristematic, for in this period the attempt was made to mould 

 pubUc opinion in favor of a more rational use of forest resources by 



