FOREST PLANTING PREPARATORY MEASURES. 37 



Precaution is everywhere advisable, and nowhere it is 

 more necessary than in reforesting denuded wood-lands, 

 because there not only come up considerations of the most 

 complicated sort, but because mistakes committed in the 

 execution of the plans often involve irreparable damages. 

 It is very natural that those who undertake reforesting 

 vast tracts of land, desire to complete their labors as 

 quickly as possible, in order to be able to soon enjoy the 

 fruits of their endeavors, especially if unlimited means 

 are at their disposal. But if such improvements are to 

 produce real benefits, large expenses should be avoided, 

 leaving to the effect of time and this is the most potent 

 factor the accomplishment of the most permanent bene- 

 fits. Exorbitant expenses are in such operations never 

 compensated for by what is gained in the shortening of 

 time, whereas going ahead gradually, considerately and 

 practically, will always bear good fruits. 



For the same reason the area to be restocked during a 

 certain season should not be too large. That the means 

 of performing the proposed task must be adequate, is a 

 matter of course. But before beginning to restock those 

 parts of a large forest which are denuded and over which 

 parching winds sweep unchecked, the old wooded tracts 

 should be looked after, and if necessary, extended so that 

 they are brought into a certain connection with isolated 

 places of a large denuded area. Thereupon, when the 

 work is to be entered upon, it should, if practicable, be 

 commenced at a place which is already protected by the 

 borders of adjoining woods. From there the plantation 

 is pushed forward under the protection of the growing 

 trees, until the whole tract is restocked. 



If the site is entirely open, and blasting winds peremp- 

 torily prevent the growing of trees, there have to be pro- 

 tective earth walls thrown up, on top of which less valu- 

 able, but more hardy trees, such as poplars, cotton-wood 

 and birches are planted. Under cover of this protection 



