REPORT FOR 1912 AND 1913 35 



and sprout growth of hardwoods, principally white oak, red oak, 

 scarlet oak and chestnut. This young stand is in a thrifty growing 

 condition, and has the promise of producing an excellent forest if it 

 can be protected from fires. Extensive improvement work has been 

 conducted on this tract during the past two years, consisting of either 

 cutting or killing by girdling the large, spreading, defective trees 

 that were not considered worth cutting when the land was logged 10 

 years ago. The young growth had reached a height where these 

 large trees were seriously interfering with its proper development, 

 so that a liberation cutting was required. Such a cutting has been 

 made on about two-thirds of the tract, and the remainder is being 

 treated in the same manner. In addition, a number of fire lines have 

 been established, usually consisting of the clearing out of old woods 

 roads, so that fires if they do occur may be more easily controlled. 



Swallow Falls Reserve. 



This Reserve lies about one mile south of the Skipnish Reserve and 

 contains 823 acres. About three years ago a liberation cutting, such 

 as that described on the Skipnish Reserve, was made on about 50 

 acres of the land. This cutting has brought- about such a marked 

 improvement in the condition of the young growth that similar 

 cuttings over the entire tract are fully justified, and will be under- 

 taken as soon as suitable arrangements can be made. 



Kindness Reserve. 



This is the southernmost of the three Grarrett County Reserves and 

 lies about three miles south of the Swallow Falls Reserve and about 

 three miles west of Oakland. It is the smallest of the three, con- 

 taining but 206 acres, and since it was located nearer the railroad the 

 cutting was much closer than that on the other reserves. Like the 

 other reservations, this one is well stocked with a young growth, 

 which is being impeded in its development by a few large, worthless 

 trees, but a liberation cutting is being made at the present time, 

 which will place it in a much better condition. 



