34 THE PRINCIPLES OF HANDLING WOODLANDS 



must have clearly in mind the results which may be 

 secured, what kind of forest will be produced, what 

 species will compose it, what form it will have, and the 

 yield in salable products. 



Definite results can only be secured under a system- 

 atic procedure. There have been developed by experi- 

 ence certain principles of handling forests of different 

 character. These principles have been brought together 

 and systematized, and are expressed as silvicultural 

 systems. These systems do not, however, represent 

 conventional rules for cutting, as often supposed, but 

 rather are principles enabling the forester to systematize 

 and control his work, and definitely to accomplish the 

 purposes of management. 



The silvicultural systems differ primarily in the man- 

 ner of cutting and reproducing the stand. A given 

 method of reproduction cutting results in a new stand, 

 which has a characteristic form. Under systematic for- 

 estry, stands of a given form are given a specific treat- 

 ment later. In forests thoroughly organized, therefore, 

 the silvicultural system has a broader significance than 

 merely a method of reproduction, and comprises also the 

 development of the stand. In a new country, where the 

 forests are irregular and the market conditions often poor 

 or uncertain, it may be impossible to foresee the later 

 handling of the forest. For American foresters the 

 essential idea in a silvicultural system is, therefore, the 

 method of cutting and reproducing the stand. 



