THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE WOODLOT 



119 



Whatever method is used, grazing animals should be kept out of the woods 

 while the young trees are starting. 



By sprouts 



The easiest way to start new trees is by sprouts that come from the 

 stumps within a year of the time trees are cut. This method cannot be 

 used with evergreens in New York State, as none of them make sprouts of 

 any considerable size. It is a practicable method only in the southern 

 part of the State, as sprouting is usually poor where the climate is severe. 



FIG. 216. The same clump as shown in Fig. 215, after thinning. The thinning 

 could have been done a few years sooner to good advantage 



(Courtesy of Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station) 



The vigor of the sprouts can be greatly increased by the following 

 simple means: Sprouting is best if the timber is cut in the late fall or 

 winter, and especially if done just before growth starts; cutting the old 

 timber in the spring or early summer greatly lessens the vigor of the 

 sprouts. The trees should be cut as near the ground as possible. The 

 cut should be smooth, and the stump left slanting in such a way that 

 water will not gather on it. Care should be taken not to tear the bark 

 from the wood. 



Sprouts rarely make as large timber as do trees grown from seed; this 

 method is therefore more useful for the raising of poles, railroad ties, fenc- 



