Early Development of Chestnut Sprouts. 45 



species continues, although lessening somewhat in amount in 

 later years. 



(b) Chestnut, Red Maple, Red Oak, Ash and Chestnut Oak. 



These species, excepting the last, associate freely in the Bottom- 

 land type. These measurements were taken in Site I — deep 

 soil and abundant moisture, with good drainage. The leaf canopy 

 had been opened by a fairly heavy thinning, allowing entrance of 

 abundant light. Density 4. 



Growth in Height. 

 Period Chestnut Red Maple Ash Red Oak Chestnut Oak. 



Feet. 

 1st year 6.06 4.43 3.78 4.20 3.60 



2nd " 3.41 2.83 2.36 1.79 1.35 



Two years 



(total) 9.47 7.26 6.14 5.99 4-95 



This being an optimum situation for the species, the difference 

 in growth can be considered the result of inherent capacity. The 

 relation of the amount of growth for the period of two years is : 

 Chestnut, Maple and Ash, but much less for the Oak. In respect 

 to the first year's growth, the Maple, Oak and Ash constitute a 

 group widely separated from the Chestnut. In the second year, 

 it will be noted, the Oaks become differentiated by a marked re- 

 tardation in growth while the Maple and Ash agree with the 

 Chestnut in preserving a relatively rapid upward growth. 



Decimation of Sprouts by Disease. — The relation between the 

 number of sprouts per colony and the degrees of soundness of 

 the wood at the end of a rotation of 40-50 years is shown in the 

 table given below. The data were taken from stumps on a plot 

 of clear-cutting. Four grades of quality of soundness were 

 made, based upon external appearances, i. e. the proportion of 

 sound, diseased, or decayed wood on the lateral surface or in 

 cross section ; the thickness and integrity of the bark ; and any 

 other signs of infection causing weakened vitality and slow 

 growth. 



With a decrease in the number of sprouts composing an in- 

 dividual colony at the end of 40-50 years there was found a cor- 

 responding degenerate condition of its members. Or, as a corol- 

 lary to this, the more diseased the colony of sprouts became dur- 

 ing life as shown by the soundness of the wood after a clear- 

 cutting, the fewer sprouts per colony reached merchantable size. 



