58 Germany. 



century silvicultural methods applied to secure or 

 foster reproduction. 



Owing to differences in local conditions and differ- 

 ence in necessities, this development varied greatly 

 in various sections as to the time it took place. The 

 Western and Middle country practiced as early as 

 the 16th century what in the Eastern country did not 

 appear until the 18th century. The forest ordinances, 

 from which we derive our knowledge or inferences 

 of these conditions, prescribed, to be sure, many 

 things that probably were not really put into practice. 



a. Natural regeneration was at first merely favored, 

 without the adoption of any very positive measures 

 to secure it, namely, by removing the cut wood 

 within the year, so as to give young growth a chance 

 of establishing itself, by removing the brush so as 

 not to smother the young growth, by keeping out 

 cattle from the young growth (Schonung). 



If the selection method of lumbering , most gener- 

 ally practiced without much plan, did not produce 

 any desirable result in reproduction, the clear cutting 

 which was practiced without system where charcoal 

 manufacturing or river driving invited to it, did even 

 less so. In either case, besides the defective and 

 damaged old stubs which were left in the logging, 

 a poor aftergrowth of undesirable character re- 

 mained, as is the case in the American woods on so 

 many areas. 



As early as 1524 and 1529, we have record of a 

 conscious attempt to secure a reproduction by leaving 

 ten to thirty seed trees per acre; but the result was 



