CHAPTER II 



THE SELECTION SYSTEM 



Origin of the Selection System 



As a rule, the original forest is composed of trees of 

 all ages mingled together promiscuously, as individuals 

 or in groups. In the early days in this country the 

 smaller trees were not cut, because they could not be 

 sold. The first lumbering, therefore, consisted in select- 

 ing here and there a tree or group of trees and leaving 

 the remainder in the forest. No attempt was made to 

 prevent damage to the younger trees, but so few trees 

 were taken that comparatively little damage was done 

 and the forest was left in fairly good condition. As the 

 market improved and smaller trees became salable, the 

 cuttings were progressively heavier. In the Adiron- 

 dacks, for example, the first lumbering removed only 

 the larger pine and the choicest spruce; later, spruce was 

 taken down to 10 inches in diameter, and still later spruce 

 down to 6 or 5 inches was cut, with any of the choicest 

 hardwoods in addition. To-day, in sections where nearly 

 all trees are merchantable, lumbering practically results 

 in clear-cutting. 



It is natural that the first conception of forestry under 

 the primitive conditions in a new country is to cut only 



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