OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI. 115 



Cutting by Types. — The future usefulness of a forest 

 depends in a large measure on the way the present crop of 

 timber is removed. The selection of trees to be reserv^ed 

 to seed up the area, and the reservation of young growths 

 now on the ground to form the basis for the next crop of 

 timber are two of the most important considerations in 

 forest management, and require the exercise of great care 

 and judgment. The selection of seed trees should be made 

 before cutting commences. As these trees are to seed the 

 area after the mature timber has been removed, they should 

 be in such a position that an even reproduction is secured 

 in the shortest possible time. The number of seed trees 

 . needed depends on the size and kind of trees and on the lay 

 of the land. An ideal yellow pine seed tree is a young, 

 barely mature tree with a full pyramidal crown coming well 

 down to the stem, so that there is a large twig surface for 

 seed bearing. It should have a straight, tall trunk, and a 

 strong, well-developed root system, so that it will not be 

 thrown by the wind. Trees 15 to 20 inches in diameter are 

 usually better than larger ones. Trees even smaller can be 

 used for seed, but more of them are required. 



Pure Longleaf Type. — It is known from experience 

 that under present methods the longleaf pine forests are 

 not being and cannot be perpetuated. It is also known 

 that under natural conditions these forests have been repro- 

 ducing themselves up to the present time. It is impos- 

 sible to lumber a tract and not change the forest conditions 

 in some way. The slighter the change from natural condi- 

 -tions, however, the more likelihood is there of reproducing 

 a forest. The prevention of fires, the exclusion of hogs, and 

 the leaving of seed trees are essential to reproduction, and 

 these things can be brought about if proper precautions are 

 taken. Other influences which probably deter longleaf repro- 

 duction are the presence of oak brush, the formation of a 

 dense turf, and the change in the mechanical condition 

 and moisture content of the soil. These influences are not 

 so well understood, and study and experiment will be neces- 

 sary^ before their full effects can be determined. 



The selection of seed trees and the amount of young 



