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that the crown cover has been too much broken ; too much Hght is entering from 

 above. 



A belt of dense woods should be left or provided about the edges of the lot 

 to act as a " wind-belt." This by hindering the free entrance of air is extremely 

 effective in retaining soil moisture. Norway spruce makes an excellent belt for 

 this purpose. 



The forester speaks of " improvement cuttings." These are made for the 

 purpose of putting the woods in better shape for future development. By these 

 cuttings it is intended to remove dying, dead and useless wood, species of little 

 value, iron-wood, blue-beech, balsam-fir, etc.; trees which are being crowded out, 

 and are using space and moisture that their neighbors can better utilize. From a 

 large wood-lot, fire-wood may be obtained from these cuttings, saving the main 

 body of the lot for development into more valuable material. 



Reprodi; CTION may be by artificial planting, but usually by so arranging the 

 cuttings that a natural reseeding results. Much of our woods consist of conifers, 

 which, excepting the arbor-vitae, reproduce by seeds alone. Many deciduous trees 

 sprout readily and produce a dense growth of shoots from cut stumps and roots. 

 Wood so reproduced is knowTi as " coppice." It makes satisfactory fire- wood, 

 poles and posts, and small timber ; the best dimension timber is produced by 

 seedlings. 



The regular crop cuttings may be conducted under various methods, but some 

 definite plan should always be prepared, with special regard to the particular con- 

 ditions of the lot in question. Cutting in Sections, whereby one section of the lot 

 is entirely removed and replanted each year, is a simple and perfect method, but 

 not likely to commend itself to the busy farmer. 



The Selection Method culls the individual trees desired. It is the only method 

 for securing dimension timber from a mixed woods. 



The Strip Method cuts narrow strips through the woods, removing all trees 

 and shrubs and leaving reseeding to the seed-trees along the sides of the strips. 

 It is not the best method for administering a wood-lot. 



The Group Method, which is the one best adapted for our purposes, makes 

 small clearings at selected places, and, from year to year, enlarges the clearings 

 by narrow belts. Reseeding takes place from seed-trees about the edges of the 

 clearing. The reseeding process is supplemented by direct planting of seedlings 

 when required, or when special kinds of valuable trees are desired. 



