158 THE PRINCIPLES OF HANDLING WOODLANDS 



tings, and the ground should be amply covered in a uni- 

 form manner. A slightly irregular thinning would not 

 be unfavorable to the young growth from the standpoint 

 of protection from drought, for there would usually be 

 enough side shade to meet the requirements of the seed- 

 lings. With trees of only moderate tolerance an irregu- 

 lar thinning might often be better than a uniform one, 

 because it would admit a certain measure of side light to 

 young growth standing under slightly too heavy shade. 

 The best rule is to make the thinning uniform so far as 

 the conditions permit, but not to make undue sacrifice to 

 uniformity where, for one reason or another, certain trees 

 ought to be removed. 



In judging how heavy to make the seed-cutting, the 

 forester has in mind the distribution of seed, and the 

 maintenance of such a degree of shade as is necessary to 

 protect the new crop from drought and frost, and to hold 

 in check the growth of weeds. The usual rule is to 

 leave only as much as is necessary to accomplish this pur- 

 pose, in order that the uncovering of the crop later on 

 will be attended by the least possible danger. 



If the preparatory cutting has been successful and 

 reproduction is pretty certain, a heavier cutting would be 

 made than when reproduction is uncertain. Just how ex- 

 tensive an opening of the canopy is best for establishing 

 and for protecting reproduction must depend in each case 

 on the species, the site, and the condition of the ground. 



In Europe, it is often customary to aid the reproduc- 

 tion by artificial measures. Thus, if there is a growth of 



