SILVICULTURE. 173 



deterioration under the influence of sun and wind, 

 to which the soil is liable in a clearing system, and 

 giving also protection to the tender seedlings of 

 such species as are subject to frost or drought. 

 Under such conditions, therefore, i.e. where pro- 

 tection of soil and young crop are necessary, the 

 gradual removal methods will be chosen. 



Over 80 per cent of the forests of Germany are 

 managed under a clearing system and rapid 

 removal systems, and only 20 per cent under slow 

 removal and other systems. 



Where, as in our culled forests, the valuable 

 species have been removed and the weed trees 

 have been left in possession, it stands to reason 

 that no natural regeneration method will reestab- 

 lish the better species; they must be restored by 

 artificial means. Finally, where conditions per- 

 mit, a combination of natural and artificial methods 

 may be resorted to in order to secure the best 

 result. 



The crudest, least intensive method is an im- 

 provement on the method of the lumberman, 

 who culls the best trees here and there, the 

 so-called method of selection. The improvement 

 over the lumberman's practice, who is concerned 

 only in the removal of the useful timber, consists 

 in looking somewhat after the fate of the young 

 growth, protecting it against competing species, 

 giving it light as soon as practicable by further 

 culling, and improving the composition by reduc- 



