REPORT ON FORESTS. 287 



ing, although regular thinnings are necessary almost throughout 

 the whole period of its life. 



In this way, even in America, the forest will yield a small but 

 constant income, since there is some demand for cedar poles. 

 When sawed in half, barked and soaked in preservatives, these 

 poles, even when very small, are of use in the construction of 

 fences. In spite of the common use of wire, there is still in 

 America great demand for good fence material. These saplings 

 are useful for vine-props, masts for small boats, handles for 

 rakes, boat-hooks and the like, racks for wagons and stalls, flag- 

 poles, plaster-laths, fence-palings, and even shingles. In fact, 

 from the time the tree reaches a diameter of three inches it is 

 useful. 



If a cedar tree becomes covered with gray lichens, as is often 

 the case, it indicates slow growth, unhealthfulness and unsuit- 

 able environment. 



The cedar is a great seed-producer, even when quite young. 

 The seeds are formed in small- cones and are easily collected. 

 A pure stand of cedar may be secured in three ways. If one has 

 a mix;ed deciduous swamp, with here and there a cedar, as' is 

 common, the easiest way to convert it into a pure stand of cedar 

 is to cut and keep down all trees except the cedar. These seed- 

 trees, with the admission of light and air, will produce an 

 abundance of seed. A stand of cedar produced in this way 

 may be irregular and uncertain. Perhaps the easiest and 

 quickest way to secure a stand of this tree is to plant it. 

 Young cedars are constantly invading cranberry bogs where 

 they are very unwelcome. These can be easily secured in large 

 numbers, and are better for planting than the spindling speci- 

 mens from the woods. Another way is to sow the seed. After 

 removing all the trees and brush from the place where a cedar 

 stand is desired, when not too dry, it is best to burn over the 

 surface, and then sow the seed mixed with dirt. 



Among those species which grow with surprising rapidity, 

 even on poor soils, and which may be easily propagated, the 

 cottonwood or Carolina-poplar (Populus deltoides) deserves first 

 place. 



In speaking of this tree in his bulletin on the cultivated 

 poplars, Prof. Bailey says : " Taking all things into consider- 



