84 Forestry Quarterly. 



about 800 feet altitude, located on Keuper formation, with heavy 

 clay soils to fine and coarse sands and all intermediate classes. 

 Spruce, fir and beech form the stands, mainly the first. The 

 growth is good to very good. The soil in openings is inclined to 

 weeds, in the close forest a light moss cover not inimical to seed- 

 ing. The method hitherto pursued was clearing followed by 

 planting with spruce transplants ; in the mixed stands natural re- 

 generation under shelterwood did not succeed. The fir which had 

 made the stands windfirm vanished thus in the new crop. Owing 

 to the drying east winds and hot sun the plantation suffered. 

 Wind danger on the plain areas is great and, due to impenetrable 

 subsoil, accumulation of spring waters add to the danger. 



The observation that certain stands on the north side of the 

 district were exposed by the cutting of a neighbor's stand and 

 had readily and fully seeded the felling areas led to attempt to 

 use this hint. Instead of beginning fellings as hitherto in the 

 East, the northern side was opened up in narrow strip, half a tree 

 height, /. e. } 10 to 15 yards broad, and this planted with stout 

 transplants. In many places this planting proved unnecessary, a 

 sufficient natural regeneration, even of fir, having covered the 

 ground. Adjoining this strip, a strip of similar breadth is lightly 

 thinned out ; within 200 yards another such combination of bare 

 and thinned strip is made, and so on. When a sufficient seeding 

 of the bare strip has resulted, further thinnings until final re- 

 moval take place in the neighboring strip and at the same time 

 an opening up of another strip, progressing with the fellings from 

 North to South. The results are a perfect success ; conservation 

 of moisture was the secret, as well as the favorable seedbeds. The 

 difference in appearance of the regeneration on the north sides 

 and the plantations open to the East and South is striking, the 

 latter being yellow and sickly. 



The soil cover and the weeds, too, indicate the difference not 

 only in their development but in the species to be found under 

 the two conditions. In addition to more favorable soil conditions, 

 the author believes also that a greater seed bearing capacity is 

 developed on the north sides of stands, than on southern exposure, 

 because trees bloom later and are less apt to lose their flowers by 

 late frost. If the tolerant species, fir or beech, are to be favored 

 in mixture the opening is made less severe and the removal pro- 



