457 
Not only are the indications that they will grow as rapidly, but also 
that they will maintain themselves in a healthy state, in good form and be 
relatively free from insect attack and fungus disease. While it is true 
that the oaks which are at present in very high demand will not make 
such rapid growth, it has been found that they will make a sure and 
healthy growth and that in all probability a natural regeneration of the 
existing wood tracts with our native oaks and other high grade timbers 
would be easily within the range of possibility, were it not for over- 
pasturage, damage by fire and destructive lumbering. 
All of this means that in the use of the wood lot or small timber 
tract the owner should have constantly in mind its perpetuation in unim- 
paired value. No tree should be cut unless there is evidence that its place 
will be quickly taken by another equally desirable form and this evidence 
is always at hand in the presence of an abundant young growth. If such 
a young growth is not present, cutting cannot be done without diminish- 
ing the value of the stand. In every case the owner should regard a stand 
of timber as an investment from which he should derive a constant rey- 
enue, while at the same time the investment remains unimpaired. The 
searcity of high grade timber, the eagerness with which it is sought and 
the relatively high stumpage values all combine to tempt the owner to such 
an impairment of his investment, but a yielding to the temptation is an 
indication of poor business judgment. 
It may be necessary in many instances to reinforce the relatively slow 
process of natural seed regeneration. ‘This may be done cheaply and effi- 
ciently in many ways, which are self-suggestive, yet which will bear re- 
statement. The weeds and brush may be cut away from the immediate 
neighborhood of the “mother seed tree” in order that the seeds may come 
in closer contact with the ground when they fall, thus greatly increasing 
their chances of successful germination. If the soil is hard and compact 
it may be broken with a hoe or plow so as to furnish a more satisfactory 
seed bed. In some cases where the litter of leaves is quite deep it may be 
advisable to rake it off in order to expose the mineral soil and even in ex- 
treme instances to burn it off, although burning over a tract to reinforce 
natural seed regeneration is an extremely doubtful process in unskilled 
hands. The methods suggested do not cover wide areas and are the-ordi- 
nary methods used in the management of other crops. Whatever form 
they may take the result sought is the same, an increase in the number of 
seeds germinating by improving the character of the seed bed. 
