36 THE ADIRONDACK SPRUCE 
the old timber of one species from a mixed forest and 
yet increase the proportion of the same species in the 
next crop. If it were possible to cut the other species 
gradually, the unsound as well as the lumber trees, the 
reproduction of Spruce would be simple. Under the 
present conditions, however, only merchantable trees 
can be cut, and in some cases probably the Spruce 
alone, and the desired result must be accomplished by 
the judicious selection of the trees to fall, leaving cer- 
tain specimens to distribute seed. On swamp land, on 
most Spruce flats, and on Spruce slopes, where the . 
Spruce forms nearly 50 per cent. of the merchantable 
crop, this result is entirely within reach from both the 
silvicultural and the economic points of view. It will 
also be possible on a considerable portion of the hard- 
wood lands. But in certain situations, especially mod- 
erate northerly slopes, where Beech, Hard Maple, and 
Birch far outnumber the Spruce, the openings made in 
the forest will probably be seeded up to hardwood 
species. This is abundantly evidenced at Ne-Ha-Sa-Ne 
Station and south of the Lodge, as well as along the old 
military road between Partlow and Gull Lakes. Under 
such conditions the young Spruce cannot compete with 
hardwoods of the same age. The latter come up in 
dense thickets, and grow in early youth more rapidly 
than the Spruce. In time, when the hardwoods are old 
and the forest cover high, doubtless the Spruce will 
gradually return, but in the first generation the hard- 
woods will have the best of it. But where the hard- 
woods also can be marketed not only will the repro- 
