THE COST OF SILVICULTURE 9 



which must be considered in determining the cost of silvi- 

 culture in the case of an individual property. These items 

 are arranged under the following five major headings. 



1. Cost of Reproduction. The artificial regeneration of the 

 area by seeding or planting may be required. Treatment of 

 the soil, litter, ground cover or underbrush may be needed 

 to establish proper seedbed conditions for natural reproduc- 

 tion. It may be necessary to retain a portion of the old 

 stand, either for a part or for all of the next rotation, to provide 

 seed or the right amount of shelter. The young seedlings, 

 naturally or artificially started, may require cleanings to 

 secure their final establishment. 



2. Cost of Protection. Annual, periodic or special expendi- 

 tures are likely to be necessary against one or more enemies. 

 Examples are : the annual charges for the prevention of forest 

 fires; the periodic eradication of ribes species in the eastern 

 white pine regions; and special work on cutting areas to dis- 

 pose of brush, trees affected with fungi or insects and snags, 

 and for fighting fires or dangerous outbreaks by other ene- 

 mies. The cost of insurance (where such can be economi- 

 cally secured), or the carrying and distribution of a certain 

 fixed charge per acre to cover average losses from enemies, is 

 a proper charge against silviculture. 



3. Increased Expenses of Logging. Increased costs of log- 

 ging come principally through the need of greater care in 

 felling, bucking and skidding, to save young growth and seed 

 trees left on the cutting area, and in the heightened costs per 

 thousand feet, board measure, of construction work, due to 

 a decreased cut when part of the merchantable stand is left. 

 The leaving of the smaller trees may effect a saving in logging 

 costs, because such trees are the most expensive to handle and 

 produce the lowest quality of product. Disposal of the slash 

 may so clear the area as to effect a reduction in skidding costs. 



