424 
stump sprouts or coppice growth. However, the size and quality of the 
timber produced in this way is much inferior to that formed from seed- 
lings. For quick reproduction, advantage of this sprouting tendency should 
be taken in trees like the oak, basswood, catalpa and hickory. 
HOW TO REACH THE MODEL. 
The next point to demand our attention is how to bring the existing 
woodlots into model conditions. The examination of this problem may 
be conveniently considered under three heads: (1) Protection, (2) Gen- 
eral Improvement Cuttings, and (8) Improvement of Type Stands. 
PROTECTION. 
The necessity for protection arises from the loss occasioned by graz- 
ing, fire, insects, fungi, wind and careless work in the woods. 
Grazing.— Grazing injures a forest in two ways—by browsing and by 
trampling. Domestic animals browse sprouts and young seedlings, break 
off shoots and buds and gnaw the bark of trees. By the destruction of 
herbage the sharp hoofs of sheep cause loose soil to become looser and 
stiff soil to become more compact. Cattle and horses are much less harm- 
ful than sheep about trampling, although their hoofs frequently tear away 
small rootlets. This disturbance of the soil and soil cover seriously inter- 
feres with its water supply. In general the results of grazing make it 
imperative to exclude all stock from the woodlot. 
Fire.—F¥ire is another great enemy of forests. The leaf litter and 
humus, young growth upon which the future supply depends, and mature 
trees are all affected. <A single fire does not usually seriously injure older 
trees but a series of fires either burns them up completely or leaves them 
in such a weakened condition that they are blown down by wind or at- 
tacked by insects and fungi, and then furnish a source of infection for 
other trees. But in this thickly settled region fires are easily handled, 
for they can readily be seen and extinguished. 
Insects.—The following conclusions regarding insect injury have been 
drawn from a careful investigation of the existing conditions throughout 
the state :* 
(1) Insects causing the death of the tree: 
(a) Found in extensive numbers and causing serious injury, as fol- 
lows: Bark beetles on oaks, hickories and locust. 
*Report of State Board of Foresty, 1907. 
