OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI. 119 



should not be boxed or tapped for turpentine, for other- 

 wise their value will be impaired. It is best to mark the 

 trees to be removed in the lumbering which will follow, and 

 allow only the trees so marked to be boxed. 



Longleaf Hills Type. — In this type there is the same 

 necessity and perhaps a greater opportunity for conserva- 

 tive management of forests than in any other. Considera- 

 ble areas of the type are still in an almost virgin state, and 

 owing to the steepness of the hills and the consequent dan- 

 ger from erosion, and the general unsuitability of much of 

 the soil for agricultural purposes, they should be kept in 

 a thrifty and profitable forest growth. The three commer- 

 cial yellow pines — longleaf, shortleaf and loblolly — grow 

 well, and reproduction, especially of shortleaf and loblolly, 

 is assured if fire is kept out and proper provision made for 

 seed trees. The chief aim should be to reproduce a mixture 

 of loblolly and shortleaf, with a preference to the former 

 because of its more rapid gro^^1;h. The longleaf is a poorer 

 seeder, grows more slowly, and seems to be gradually gi\'ing 

 way to its more vigorous competitors. In the hardwood 

 hollows loblolly usually reproduces successfully. The more 

 valuable hardwoods, as yellow poplar, ash and hickory, 

 should be favored against all other trees but loblolly pine 

 by leaving seed trees and protecting the young grow1;h. 



Young growth of pine is much more frequent in these 

 hills than it is over most of the pure longleaf area, and so 

 the selection method of cutting, already described, should 

 be practiced in most cases. As much immature pine as 

 possible should be left on the ground, in order that it may 

 have the advantage in the struggle with the poorer species 

 of hardwood. In selecting seed trees, shortleaf should be 

 preferred to longleaf, since it grows faster, and forms denser 

 stands. LobloUy, however, in all situations favorable 

 to its growth, is a more desirable tree than either. Young 

 growth of all species should be left, not only to form the 

 basis of a second crop, but to prevent erosion. 



Hardwood Hills Type. — A considerable part of this type 

 is still in the forest, and on account of the steepness and 

 general unsuitability of much of it for cultivation, it should 



