THE CHRISTMAS TREE 



749 



That the use of Christmas trees is perfectly compatible, 

 however, with the welfare of the forest is fully proved 

 by the practice in the European forests. The cutting of 

 small trees for Christmas is not there considered in the 

 least as a menace to the forest but as a means for iin- 

 proving the forest and a source of revenue, and is there- 

 fore constantly encouraged. It is not by denying our- 

 selves the wholesome pleasure of having a bit of nature 

 in our homes, forest officials say, that we shall preserve 

 our forests, but by learning how to use them wisely and 

 properly. The following rules are laid down by the 

 United States Forest Service for the woodland owner 

 who wishes to improve a rather dense stand of ever- 

 greens and market the good trees for Christmas pur- 

 poses : 



(1) Find a market for Christmas trees of the species 

 which are growing on your land. 



(2) Go through the woodland carefully, pick out and 

 mark the most vigorous specimens of trees. These should 

 be allowed to remain to form the mature stand of timber. 



(3) Mark for removal the trees which are crowding 

 these better specimens. 



(4) Cut as many of these inferior trees as there is a 

 suitable market for. Cut them carefully to avoid damage 

 to the remaining trees. 



(5) Remove them carefully from the area and market 

 them in accordance with instructions from the buyer to 

 avoid any cause for dispute. 



