20 



stated, does not neglect of the work mean a corresponding loss? 

 Every year the work is omitted means a year lost to the trees' develop- 

 ment, and in the aggregate this is a great loss. 



On the Mont Alto division of the South Mountain reserve, on the 

 point of Pine Mountain, along the public road to the Consumptive 

 Camp, there was made in the year 1904, an improvement cutting, cover- 

 ing a number of acres. The worthless and stunted trees were re- 

 moved, cut into cord wood, and sold. Here we can see, in one phase, 

 the silvicultural value of the work. Before this work was done there 

 were a few white pine seedlings growing here. Their tops were of a 

 sickly yellowish color, and the seedlings were not making their best 

 growth. Since the cutting was made there is the greatest difference 

 to be seen in these seedlings. Their tops are of a deep rich green, 

 and they are growing very fast. And in addition, there are great 

 numbers of all kinds of young seedlings coming on. These will soon 

 fill the blanks left by the removal of the worthless and dead trees. To 

 obtain the best returns and development on all these lands, they 

 must be managed so as to bring the growing stock as near normal 

 as may be done, and as soon as possible. 



The economic and financial side of this question is somewhat closely 

 allied with the silvicultural side, for on the attainment of the best 

 silvicultural development depends the highest financial return. While 

 the carrying on of this work now does not mean large financial return 

 at the present time, there are economic reasons why it should be done 

 at once. 



One thing is sure: The carrying on of this work at present does 

 not mean any increase in the cost of the work, but may mean a some- 

 what lower rate. The cutting and removal of small soft saplings is 

 certainly cheaper than the removal of the larger harder poles, not 

 only in the cutting but in the handling. Does not forest economy 

 demand that work of this kind be done when it can be done with the 

 least cost? 



And then there is another phase. The removal of the stunted, dis- 

 eased, and dying valueless trees means there is so much- more nourish- 

 ment available for the remaining trees. As stated above, this pro- 

 duces higher development both as to wood quality and quantity. 

 Better development means greater financial return. 



Take an area capable of producing two cords per acre per annum 

 under the over-stocked conditions. The improvement of these lands 

 will mean an increase of perhaps one cord per acre per year bringing 

 the total up to three cords per acre per year. At the common rate 

 for cord wood this means an increase in value of $2.00 per acre per 

 year. Should this work be put off for 10 years, it would mean a loss 

 of 10 cords per acre at a value of about $20.00 in the value of the 

 woods. Will it not be better, financially, to do this work now when 

 the cost is the lowest, and secure this increase in value? 



