June, 1942] University of New Hampshire 25 



greatly by use of improved methods in curing and getting 

 the hay crop under cover. 



4. Increase the size of the dairy herd by the addition of four 



cows. This does not represent an adjustment for very many 

 farms and where it can be made, it is unlikely that the num- 

 ber added would be as large. There would be ample feed for 

 the increased herd with a system of crop rotation. 



5. Manage the woodland as a part of the farm business. This 

 operator, like most of the others, cuts his own fuel supply. 

 Like many, he also cuts some forest products for sale each 

 year. The same amount of time applied in a different man- 

 ner would go a long way toward bringing about desirable 

 woodland management. 



All of these changes probably could be handled for some time 

 with the present labor supply and equipment. The woodland adjust- 

 ments would be essentially the same whether or not the others were 

 made. 



Even with 18 cows on the farm, approximately 100 man days of 

 six hours each would be available for woods work. This would be 

 sufficient to carry on the necessary work for the next few years. As 

 the allowable annual cut increases, say after ten to fifteen years, some 

 contract labor will be required to harvest a portion of the crop. This 

 problem can easily be worked out with some other operator who does 

 not have enough woodland to meet his employment needs. At least 

 two near-by farmers are interested in additional work. 



The 173 acres of woodland support a fair stocking of desirable 

 species and much of the area is ready for partial cutting that will yield 

 marketable products. Woodland management in the form of a single 

 tree selection cutting should be started at once in the more dense 

 stands of softwood. The first cutting should be light with the view 

 to returning to the same area at five-year intervals. Such frequent 

 working of the same area combined with careful observation will en- 

 able the operator to maintain a check on the relationship between 

 growth and removal, and to prevent loss of timber from death or 

 windthrow. Spruce should be favored over fir where possible. 



In one section of the lot a selective cutting has already been made 

 in a stand of spruce and fir overtopped by hardwood. Although it 

 probably would have been preferable to remove the hardwood first, 

 the treatment given will yield good results. As soon as the remaining 

 softwood has become more firmly established against wind damage, 

 the hardwood should be removed. This job must be carefully done 

 to avoid damage to the understory, and is a type of operation best 

 done by the owner and regular farm labor. 



The availability of a market for rough pulp will permit cutting 

 during the time when chores offer the only other outlet for regular 

 farm labor. During June, when there may be some free time, a few 

 cords could be peeled, giving the operator a small additional return 

 for his labor. Cutting during the peeling season, however, should not 

 be allowed to interfere with other crop production. The slight gain 



