BRANDIS' METHOD. 325 



consisted of species, which at that time had no market value. 

 Indeed, the latter were allowed to be removed free of charge 

 without let or hindrance. Moreover, even teak trees required 

 to be of a certain size to make their extraction really remunera- 

 tive. At that time it was considered desirable, that no teak 

 tree should be removed, unless it had reached a circumference 

 of 6 feet, or roughly a diameter of 2 feet, measured at 6 feet 

 from the ground. Trees of that girth and above were called 

 trees of the first class. 



Under these circumstances, Brandis' object was to ascertain, 

 as quickly as possible, the number of first class teak trees, 

 which might be removed annually, without exposing the forests 

 to deterioration. For this purpose he designed a method, by 

 which he ascertained — 



(1.) the number of first class trees in the forests ; 



(2.) the time which it takes to replace them. 



By dividing the number of first class trees ascertained under 

 (1.) by the number of 3'ears ascertained under (2.), he calculated 

 the maximum number of trees, which it was permissible to 

 cut annually. 



It will thus be seen, that the volume of marketable growing 

 stock was ascertained, and that this was removed at such a 

 rate as at least to maintain it ; in other words, the maximum 

 yield was fixed at that quantity of marketable timber, which 

 reached maturity every year, thus maintaining the mature 

 growing stock in the forest and utilising the actual increment. 

 With the view of utilising an excess of mature material it was 

 laid down, that, if the proportion of first class trees appeared 

 excessive as compared with the younger classes, extra cuttings 

 might temporarily be made, and i-ice versa ; hence, the method 

 is one based on increment and growing stock. Various safe- 

 guards were added, such as an allowance for trees, which it did 

 not pay to extract ; where few second and third class trees 

 existed, some first class trees were left standing to provide 

 seed for regeneration ; immediately along the banks of streams 

 cuttings were made very sparingly, etc. 



