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CHAPTER YII. 



THE REAL rOREST COMPARED WITH THE 

 NORMAL FOREST. 



Having drawn a picture of the normal, or ideal, forest, it 

 remains to compare it with what is found in realit}-. A forest, 

 which is in every respect in a normal condition, does not exist, 

 especially in the case of extensive areas treated under high 

 rotations; and if a forest should ever get into that state, greater 

 or smaller deviations are sure to occur again. The great 

 value of the normal forest consists in its serving as a standard, 

 towards which the forester must endeavour to lead the forest 

 under his management. How this is done, is laid down in 

 forest working plans. 



Forests, which are worked for quantity or quality of produce 

 only, may be abnormal in respect of — 

 (1.) The increment. 



(2.) The size and distribution of the age classes. 

 (3.) The growing stock. 



From a financial point has to be added : — 

 (4.) There may be woods, which work with a forest per cent. 



smaller than the general per cent. jj. 

 Either one, several, or all these conditions may be in an 

 abnormal state. 



In determining the method, by which the abnormal condi- 

 tions are to be removed, it must be specially noted, that the 

 increment alone renders the growing stock an active capital ; 

 it replaces year by year that quantity of the growing stock, 

 which has been removed by fellings. Hence, it must be the 

 forester's first care, to bring the increment up to its normal 

 amount. This is accomplished by regulating the cuttings 

 in a suitable manner, followed by efficient regeneration and 



