THE SELECTION SYSTEM 57 



1. Where trees are defective. 



2. Where trees are growing very slowly, and are 

 unlikely to remain sound till the next cut. 



3. Where trees are of poor development, and are 

 retarding the growth of others of greater promise. 



4. Where the removal of trees of poor promise will 

 aid reproduction. 



5. Where it is necessary to cut patches clear, because 

 the trees, if left, would not withstand the wind. 



6. Where trees will inevitably be injured by the fell- 

 ing of larger trees. 



Marking. The selection of the trees to be cut should 

 not be left to the judgment of the loggers. It has usu- 

 ally been the custom of lumber companies cutting to a 

 diameter limit to issue instructions to the sawyers to cut 

 only trees above a certain diameter on the stump. Even 

 when a diameter limit is the only basis for selecting the 

 trees the best results are secured by marking in advance 

 each tree which is to be cut. The ordinary logging crew 

 cannot be expected to measure the trees with care and 

 accuracy. The marking should be done by a special 

 crew of men skilled in this work. 



In selecting the trees the chosen diameter limit is used 

 as a check. Accordingly, the marker carries a measuring 

 rule of some sort. Some mark off rough graduations on 

 the handle of the marking axe to measure diameters. 

 Others carry calipers. Where only one limit is used, as 

 when a single species is being marked, a set caliper or a 

 simple gage may be used. 



