FOREST PROBLEMS. 209 



less it is stony or on steep hillsides, for the tree growth 

 indicates a strong, valuable soil, and its being located 

 near a large city should enhance its value for dairying 

 or similar purposes. 



24. Some neglected lowlands have become partially 

 covered with Cottonwoods and Willows, some of which 

 are a foot or more in diameter. These trees are in irreg- 

 ular patches, covering perhaps two-thirds of the tract. 

 The lowest places are quite wet and boggy. What in- 

 come might be derived from a careful management of 

 the growing trees? 



Answer- Very little profit can come from it in its pres- 

 ent condition, except as it may be useful for pasturage. 

 If, on further consideration, it is decided that it will be 

 more valuable for forestry purposes than for pasturage, 

 it would probably be best to encourage a growth of White 

 Maple, the seeds of which could be sown in furrows or 

 in patches, in June. The Cottonwood should be kept 

 out as much as possible, as, since it is well adapted to this 

 class of soil, it is liable to drive out everything else, and 

 there is very little profit from the growing of it. 



25. B has forty acres of land covered with Maple, White 

 Oak, Birch, Hackberry, and Elm. He cuts his fuel from 

 it, and makes sugar from the Maple each year, and finds 

 it fairly profitable. There are, however, no young trees 

 coming on, the ground being entirely bare, and it looks 

 as though in the course of time the old trees would ripen 

 up, and there would be nothing to take their places. The 

 land is so rough that it would not be profitable for agri- 

 culture nor especially desirable for pasturage. 



Answer: The reason why there is no young growth 

 coming on is probably because the land is closely pas- 

 tured, since the foliage of the Maple, Elm, Birch, and 

 Oak is readily eaten by stock. The first thing to do is 

 to keep out the cattle, so that the young seedlings may 



