

years to grow one inch in diameter before a 

 liberation required only 4^ years to grow the 

 same amount after the over story was removed. 

 The problem of securing hemlock reproduction 

 is a real one because conditions favorable for the 

 germination of hemlock are equally favorable for 

 [lack birch and similar hardwoods which grow 

 faster and soon overtop the hemlock, thus pro- 

 ducing another "two storied forest." Dense 

 reproduction of hemlock occurs where the 

 mineral soil is exposed. A moist bed of hard- 

 wood leaves also makes a good seed bed. A plot 

 in an opening, caused by the removal of several 

 large trees, examined by Merrill & Hawley, 

 showed hemlock seedlings at the rate of over one 

 million per acre together with hardwood seed- 

 lings at the rate of over one hundred thousand 

 per acre. In the course of a few years the latter 

 would completely overtop the former. Hemlock 

 produces seed abundantly at two to three year 

 intervals. If cuttings can be made not later than 

 the spring following a seed year, chances for 

 successful regeneration are increased. Grazing 

 by cattle and horses tends to reduce the competi- 

 tion between the hardwoods and hemlock since 

 the animals do not injure hemlock. If the hem- 

 lock once overtops the hardwoods a pure stand 

 of hemlock is assured. 



White ash and tulip reproduce best in fairly 

 moist situations in small openings on mineral soils 

 among ferns where there is not too much com- 

 petition with red maple, the oaks and shrubbery. 



With these various factors in mind, reproduc- 

 tion cuttings should be made during the next ten 

 years in all stands 80 years or more in age, so 



40 



