Marking in Practice. 399 



teristic group of reproduction in the foreground. This area also 

 is near a wagon road and the timber was left untouched because of 

 its landscape value. In such a case it would be unnecessary to 

 leave seed trees since the young growth is ample and already con- 

 stitutes the basis for an early second cut. 



While marking in winter is advisable because of its being done 

 economically at that time and not interfering with other forest 

 work, such as fire patrol, improvements, etc., still the season 

 presents unexpected difficulties, especially after a heavy snowfall 

 when the unfortunate marker has to walk through deep drifts, as 

 illustrated in Cut 5. 



A final word as to the relative value of marking implements may 

 not be amiss. The marking hatchet has the advantage of being 

 easily carried, especially on a saddle, but the old fashioned heavy 

 marking ax is far easier if much marking is to be done, since its 

 very weight carries it through the heavy bark of the western Yel- 

 low Pine and of the Douglas Fir. If a man is going to do much 

 marking it is best for him to pick out a helve suitable to his indi- 

 vidual tastes. 



So much has been said about marking being the most important 

 work on a Forest that a repetition seems superfluous. However, 

 marking is forestry in the truest sense, and the results are for all 

 time to come. I believe there is no satisfaction greater than going 

 over a sale area which one has marked himself and feeling that 

 the work has been well done. Equally poignant is the regret for 

 mistakes forever past remedying ; for there is no work where one 

 can more clearly realize mistakes.. Errors stand out with uncom- 

 promising distinctness. It is because of its supreme importance 

 that the men in charge of the District offices are more and more 

 getting out and marking timber along with the supervisors and 

 rangers. "Paper work" will be abandoned, the mimeographed 

 marking rules will be vitalized by actual marking examples by 

 the men who formulated the marking rules. Just in proportion as 

 this is done will the standardizing of all timber sales work be 

 consummated. 



