354 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



in a particular group demand more or less shade. Further, when 

 different species are ripe for regeneration at different times, this 

 plan makes it possible to take them in hand as needed. Again, we 

 can begin with one group or we can take in hand several groups 

 simultaneously, as may be desirable and practicable. 



We start our groups of new crop either where a young growth 

 is already on the ground, enlarging around it, or where old timber 

 has reached its highest usefulness and should be cut in order that 

 we may not lose the larger growth which young trees would make ; 

 or else we choose a place which is but poorly stocked, where, if it 

 is not regenerated, the soil is likely to deteriorate further. The 

 choice is affected further by the consideration that dry situations 

 should be taken in hand earlier than those in w r hich the soil and site 

 are more favorable, and that some species reach maturity and high- 

 est use value earlier than others and should therefore be reproduced 

 earlier. In short, we begin the regeneration when and where the 

 necessity for it exists, or where the young crop has the best chance 

 to start most satisfactorily with the least artificial aid. Of course, 

 advantage should be taken of the occurrence of seed years, which 

 come at different intervals with different species. 



If we begin with a group of young growth already on the 

 ground, our plan is to remove gradually the old trees standing over 

 them when no longer required for shade, and then cut aw T ay the ad- 

 joining old growth and enlarge the opening in successive narrow 

 bands around the young growth. When the first band has seeded 

 itself satisfactorily, and the young growth has come to require more 

 light (which may take several years), we remove another band 

 around it, and thus the regeneration progresses. Where no young 

 growth already exists, of course the first opening is made to afford a 

 start, and afterwards the enlargement follows as occasion requires. 



Size of Openings. The size of openings and the rapidity with 

 which they should be enlarged vary, of course, with local conditions 

 and the species which is to be favored, the light-needing species re- 

 quiring larger openings and Quicker light additions than the shade- 

 enduring. It is difficult to give any rules, since the modifications 

 due to local conditions are so manifold, requiring observation and 

 judgment. Caution in not opening too much at a time and too 

 quickly may avoid failure in securing good stands. In general, the 

 first openings may contain from one-fourth to one-half an acre 

 or more, and the gradual enlarging may progress by clearing bands 

 of a breadth not to exceed the height of the surrounding timber. 



The time of the year when the cutting is to be done is naturally 

 in winter, when the farmer has the most leisure, and when the wood 

 seasons best after felling and is also most readily moved. Since it 

 is expected that the seed fallen in the autumn will sprout in the 

 spring, all wood should, of course, be removed from the seed 

 ground. The first opening, as well as the enlargement of the groups, 

 should not be made at once, but by gradual thinning out, if the soil 

 is not in good condition to receive and germinate the seed and it is 



