FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION 353 



In the strip method, in order to secure sufficient seeding of 

 the cleared strip, the latter must not be so broad that the seed from 

 the neighboring growth can not be carried over it by the wind. In 

 order to get the best results from the carrying power of the wind 

 (as well as to avoid windfalls when the old growth is suddenly 

 opened on the windward side) the strips should be located on the 

 side opposite the prevailing winds. Oaks, beech, hickory, and nut 

 trees in general with heavy seeds will not seed over any considerable 

 breadth of strip, while with maple and ash the breadth may be 

 made twice as great as the height of the timber, and the mother 

 trees with lighter seeds, like spruce and pine, or birch and elm, 

 may be able to cover strips of a breadth of 3 or 4 and even 8 times 

 their height. But such broad strips are hazardous, since with insuf- 

 ficient seed fall, or fail years in the seed, the strip may remain ex- 

 posed to sun and wind for several years without a good cover and 

 deteriorate. It is safer, therefore, to make the strips no broader 

 than just the height of the neighboring timber, in which case not 

 only has the seed better chance of covering the ground, but the soil 

 and seedlings have more protection from the mother crop. In hilly 

 country the strips must not be made in the direction of the slope, 

 for the water would wash out soil and seed. 



Every year, then, or from time to time, a new strip is to be 

 cleared and "regenerated." But if the first strip failed to cover itself 

 satisfactorily, the operation is stopped, for it would be unwise to re- 

 move the seed trees further by an additional clearing. Accordingly, 

 this method should be used only where the kinds composing the 

 mother crop are frequent and abundant seeders and give assurance of 

 reseeding the strips quickly and successfully. The other two methods 

 have greater chances of success in that they preserve the soil condi- 

 tions more surely and there is more assurance of seeding from the 

 neighboring trees on all sides. The selection method, by which 

 single trees are taken out all over the forest, is the same as 

 has been practiced by the farmer and lumberman hitherto, only 

 they have forgotten to look after the young crop. Millions of seed 

 may fall to the ground and germinate, but perish from the ex- 

 cessive shade of the mother trees. If we wish to be successful in es- 

 tablishing a new crop, it will be necessary to be ready with the ax 

 all the time and give light as needed by the young crop. The 

 openings made by taking out single trees are so small that there is 

 great danger of the young crop being lost, or at least impeded in its 

 development, because it is impracticable to come in time to its relief 

 with the ax. 



The best methods, therefore, in all respects, is the "group 

 method" which not only secures continuous soil cover, chances for 

 full seeding, and more satisfactory light conditions, but requires less 

 careful attention, or at least permits more freedom of movement 

 and adaptation to local conditions. 



It is especially adapted to mixed woods, as it permits securing 

 for each species the most desirable light conditions by making the 

 openings larger or smaller, according as the species we wish to favor 



