20 



The locations of the clearings — one or two or more — are selected so that 

 mature clumps will be used, sections too open cleaned and reforested, clumps of 

 poor quality replaced by a more desirable growth, and like desirable results obtained. 



The size of the first clearing should be from one-quarter to one-half an acre. The 

 width of the concentric belts — cut year by year — should not be greater than the 

 height of the surrounding seed trees. The clearings should be complete and, if 

 the ground is sodded, a plow should be used. If there are not sufficient seed-trees 

 in close proximity, replanting with seedlings becomes necessary. 



The Group Method, the Selection Method and Improvement Cuttings may 

 proceed together. If the lot is a large one, the improvement cuttings will furnish 

 most or all the fire-wood needed, together with culls and " slash " from the clearings. 



A proper forestry system pays especial regard to the crown cover, so that the 

 soil cover will remain in condition and protect the soil moisture. It makes thought- 

 ful provision for reforesting and introduction of valuable trees. It removes all 

 worthless and dangerous dying wood and surplus trees, which hinder the growth 

 of those of more value. It removes each season the greatest amount of valuable 

 product consistent with the preservation and proper development of the forest area. 



This subject is without question of much importance, as the diminishing and 

 neglected wood-lots everywhere testify. A strip of woods is like any other crop, 

 in that it may be neglected, wasted, and ultimately destroyed ; or conserved so as 

 to give a reasonable return for the acreage covered and the attention given it. 

 Furthermore, a wood-lot, properly administered, has peculiar values which attach 

 to no other crop, and which add appreciably to the commercial and living values 

 of any farm. 



The forest insects injurious to wood-lots may be grouped as: leaf-feeding 

 caterpillars and saw-fly larvae, bark and wood-boring beetles and their larvae, 

 wood-boring caterpillars, and aphids and scale insects. 



The leaf-eating caterpillars and all other insects feeding on the leaves of trees 

 may, of course, be killed by poison-sprays. Spraying can be successfully employed 

 to protect shade trees, but is usually quite out of the question on even a small 

 wood-lot. For the control of such insects we must depend largely upon Nature's 

 methods of control, assisting wherever possible. Nature regulates the numbers of 

 the destructive insects by: adverse weather conditions, upon which we can exert no 

 control; insect parasites, whose friendly activities man is just now beginning to 

 appreciate and to assist, and insect-eating birds, which we have been industriously 

 and very successfully attempting to exterminate for several generations. 



