THE SHELTERWOOD SYSTEM 141 



factor. Upon this factor depends the number of thin 

 nings which may be made during the process of remov- 

 ing the given stand. The best work is done where it is 

 possible to dispose of any and all products of the forest 

 cordwood as well as logs and where there are permanent 

 roads. Under these conditions one may make a thin- 

 ning in the forest whenever needed, and may cut just 

 those trees whose removal is required in each given case. 

 The other extreme is found where the market and 

 logging conditions permit only two cuttings; one thin- 

 ning to open the stand for reproduction, and a final cut- 

 ting after reproduction is secured. The better the condi- 

 tions of market and transportation the more thinnings 

 will it be feasible to make. The greater the number of 

 thinnings, the more intensive will be the application and 

 the better will be the final results. The most intensive 

 application is found in Germany; the most primitive, in 

 America and in other countries just inaugurating the 

 practise of forestry. 



Primitive Application of the System 



The simplest use of the system is when it is designed 

 to remove a given mature stand in two cuttings. The 

 first is a thinning intended to secure the conditions re- 

 quired for reproduction. This is called the seed-cutting. 

 The next cutting is made after the reproduction is se- 

 cured, and removes the trees left after the first cutting. 

 This is called the final cutting. Usually the final cutting 

 is made from 10 to 20 years after the seed-cutting. 



