THE SELECTION SYSTEM 75 



system is admirably adapted. This is particularly the 

 case in the rolling plateau regions, such as most of north- 

 ern Maine and the Adirondacks. In these regions the 

 forest is almost altogether of a selection character, and 

 trees of different ages are mingled together individually 

 and in small groups. The natural form of the forest is 

 due to the fact that the majority of species are tolerant of 

 shade. These are spruce, hemlock, fir, beech, and hard 

 and soft maple. The birches are very abundant species 

 and, though less tolerant than the other trees, they can 

 still hold their own in the selection forest. The intol- 

 erant species, like pine and larch, occur localized, and 

 usually come up on new-made land, on the borders of 

 lakes, and on clearings made by windfall and fire. On 

 certain types of land where windfall has been extensive 

 in the past, like swamps and steep slopes, there are 

 groups and often whole stands of an even-aged character; 

 but the forest is mainly all-aged. 



Suppose that a privately owned tract in the western 

 Adirondacks is to be managed under the selection sys- 

 tem. In organizing it, the first step is to analyze the 

 stand to determine for each species the representation 

 and distribution of the different size-classes. This analy- 

 sis shows the number of sound trees of different diame- 

 ters, and makes it possible to determine what can be cut 

 at a profit at once, and what will be left for the formation 

 of a merchantable cut in the near future. 



The next step is to determine the rate of growth or 

 increment of the forest. It is not the present growth 



