194 Esthetic Forestry 



ing very rapidly at the start, they cease in height growth 

 much sooner than seeclhng trees. In addition, not only 

 have the stumps usually been injured by careless axemen, 

 but such woodlands have generally been burned over re- 

 peatedly, thus injuring the stumps by fire; as a result decay 

 has set in, and it is difficult to find really healthy stumps. 

 The sprouts may nevertheless grow up into quite respect- 

 able trees, but they are on an unstable basis and are short- 

 lived. The woodland parks of the Boston Metropolitan 

 park system are probably largely made up of such sprout- 

 lands. 



The proper policy here is to gradually replace sprouts by 

 seedlings, either favoring volunteer growth of the latter or 

 deliberately securing them from natural seeding of the 

 sprouts or by planting. In this planting, the light re- 

 quirements of the species used must be carefully considered. 

 Moreover, it must not be forgotten that the seedHngs grow 

 more slowly than the sprouts, which, therefore, are vigorous 

 competitors and must be kept constantly in check until the 

 planted specimens are well established and can take care 

 of themselves. 



In the selection of plant material, the possibility of new 

 introductions is offered, but, while variety in composition 

 pleases, yet the choice must be made with circumspection, 

 not only as regards the capacity of permanent mainte- 

 nance, but of adequacy. " Beauty must be true, good, and 

 adequate": the new introductions must be adapted to the 

 locahty, preferably indigenous or, at least, not entirely inhar- 

 monious with the main body of the woods, they must have 

 elements of form or other qualities which make their intro- 

 duction appear natural and desirable, and they must be 

 adequate to the effect desired. If, for instance, coniferous 

 growth is absent, some shade-enduring spruces, firs, or hem- 



