56 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF THE 



wise badly defective at the base, stumps are seldom cut 

 higher than i6 inches, and the trees are utilized to small 

 diameters in the tops. One company whose cut-over 

 lands have had a ready sale for farming purposes has 

 learned that cutting stumps 8 instead of i6 inches high 

 results in a saving of almost 50 per cent in clearing the 

 land, because of the lessened expense for powder and 

 boring holes in the stumps. 



In almost all parts of the State it is a matter of poor 

 business management to leave large, sound tree tops to 

 decay on the ground, for with the high values of cross- 

 ties, poles and posts trees can ustially be used well up into 

 the tops with profit. 



Young trees of the desirable species should be pro- 

 tected and encouraged in every possible way, in order 

 that they may contribute to future logging operations. 

 Care should be taken to do as little injury as possible to 

 saplings and poles in felling, and instead of cutting young 

 trees of the valuable species for such uses as cross-ties 

 and skid poles, the inferior species should be used. 



The Establishment and Care of Young Stands. — All the 

 problems of management which have been discussed thus 

 far have a greater or lesser influence on the regeneration 

 of forests. Above all fires are destructive to forest growth, 

 and, in Mississippi, have been the chief cause of the meagre 

 amount of young tree stands on logged-over areas. In 

 addition to these factors, the manner of harvesting a tree 

 crop bears a great influence on the character and quality 

 of the succeeding stand. 



Each forest type requires certain methods of treatment 

 to secure the best results, but, in general, certain principles 

 of management are common to all regions: 



I . Unless a new stand is to be established by planting, 

 provision shotild be made for seeding up the ground by 

 leaving a portion of the stand. || 



Clear cutting is usually practiced only""in pine stands. 

 In southern Mississipj)i most large lumber'^companies cut 

 to a minimum breast high, diameter limit of about 1 2 inches. 



