120 A STUDY OF FOREST CONDITIONS 



be permanently used for the growth of trees. Of course, 

 with improved methods of farming and a denser population 

 more land will be cleared and cultivated, but in all agricul- 

 tural regions at least part of the land should be used for 

 the production of cordwood, posts, poles and lumber for 

 local needs. The steep hillsides and narrow ravines found 

 throughout this type are better adapted to this purpose than 

 to any other. The deep, fine, silty soil begins to wash badly 

 as soon as cultivation is attempted, and under ordinary 

 circumstances the steep slopes have to be abandoned in a 

 very few years. A mixed growth, usually of very inferior 

 quality, gradually takes possession of these areas, but the 

 erosion goes on until the under clay is reached, often 50 to 

 100 feet below. Such land should never be cleared, but 

 should be kept in a thrifty growth of timber, and made to 

 yield, by wise management, the greatest possible returns 

 as a long time investment. The soil being rich and the 

 moisture conditions generally good, tree growth is rapid, 

 and where the better species are encouraged, the owner 

 might expect returns in a comparatively short period. 



In cutting these mixed stands of trees of all ages, the 

 selection system is by far the most practical. The old, 

 mature and overmature trees should be removed, leaving 

 the young, thrifty, immature saplings and poles with plenty 

 of room to develop and grow. If possible, the less valuable 

 species should be removed with the better kinds, for other- 

 wise the quality of the forest will have a tendency to dete- 

 riorate. Seed trees of yellow poplar, ash, walnut, hickory, 

 and white oak should be saved wherever there are not 

 sufficient young trees of these species to secure a second 

 growth. If these seed trees are retained, with proper care, 

 each succeeding crop of timber will consist of a larger pro- 

 portion of desirable kinds. The present method of cut- 

 ting for export leaves practically all the small and imma- 

 ture timber, and where an adequate supply of seed trees 

 is also included, the forest is left in very good condition. 



The number of seed trees which should be left to the acre 

 will vary, according to the topography, the stand, and the 

 species. Naturally, seed will scatter farther from a tree 



