1462 A NATIONAL PLAN FOB AMEEICAN FORESTRY 



are largely eliminated and only a degenerate sprout forest remains. 

 Also some forest land bears only naturally inferior species, such as 

 the scrub pines, where better species might grow. In such cases, if 

 the potential production of the land warrants the investment, con- 

 version of the inferior stand to one of greater intrinsic value by plant- 

 ing is indicated, either through under planting or through planting 

 and weeding following clear cutting. On several of the State forests 

 on the coastal plain of southern New Jersey, supplementary planting 

 of this kind has been undertaken on a large scale. On perhaps half 

 a million acres in southern New Jersey the natural forest has degen- 

 erated into a poor-quality sprout growth of mixed oaks which seldom 

 yields more than 10 cords of wood per acre. If these stands are clear 

 cut after they have lost their early vigor, a satisfactory mixed forest 

 can be established by carefully planting 300 to 400 pines per acre in 

 the larger openings between the sprout groups. Short-leaf and lob- 

 lolly pines have proved most satisfactory for this purpose because of 

 their rapid early growth, which enables them to keep up with the 

 oak sprouts and minimizes the need of subsequent cleaning. On 

 these State forests the initial purchase price of the land was $3 to $4 

 per acre. A net return of $10 per acre was obtained from the sale 

 of the oak cordwood. Planting cost from $3 to $5 per acre, and 

 subsequent cleaning cost not more than $1 per acre. As the mixed 

 stands started in this way develop, the oak sprouts may be cut for 

 fuel to create more favorable conditions for later growth of the pine. 



PROTECTION AGAINST INJURIES 



The safeguarding of the forest against injurious agencies is a basic 

 necessity of intensive forestry. Previous sections have discussed pro- 

 tection against fire, insects, and disease. In some parts of the country 

 forests require another form of protection, namely, against the over- 

 grazing of livestock and more rarely of deer. The forage in a forest 

 is a product that should, if possible, be used; but its use must be 

 reconciled with timber production, and the major use not sacrificed 

 for the minor. 



In the Central States hardwood region, for example, the tree- 

 shaded pasturage of farm woodlands is a useful resource, but the 

 grazing of stock in such woodlands is not good for timber production. 

 Where the heavy grazing of domestic stock is exceedingly detrimental 

 to forest growth and prevents adequate regeneration it should be 

 taboo, unless the use value of the pasturage is greater than the loss 

 in timber production. 



In some of the western coniferous types like ponderosa pine, suc- 

 cessful forestry requires that grazing use be checked for a period of 

 years before or after cutting, or both. 



In parts of Pennsylvania and in some other places, deer have be- 

 come so abundant that they interfere with full forest productivity by 

 cropping the undergrowth, coppice sprouts, and seedlings. There is 

 no reason why game production should be incompatible with inten- 

 sive forestry, but game management should be gaged to prevent undue 

 detriment to the forest crop. 



There are other special problems of protection that must be met to 

 attain full productivity. For example, rabbits sometimes do serious 

 damage in plantations, less often in natural stands. In many parts 

 of the country porcupines have become so numerous and feed so 



