CHAPTER II. 



SILVICULTURAL SYSTEMS. 



In order to harvest different kinds of forests and to insure an 

 equally good growth after cutting, various systems of cutting 

 have been developed. Often they differ very little from ordi- 

 nary methods of lumbering, but in other cases may demand a 

 considerable money investment and a high degree of forestry 

 knowledge. The forester, or the layman who handles his own 

 forests, should have these systems definitely in mind, as only in 

 this way can he secure satisfactory results in the reproduction of 

 the desired species. Thus far these systems have been Httle 

 used in America, but as our market conditions approach those 

 of Europe they will be adapted to our conditions. And even 

 under our present rough conditions it is as well to have some 

 ideal to work for, some definite method to follow, as in other 

 agricultural lines. 



The classification of these systems is the same as that used by 

 Graves,^ with the exception that some of the least important 

 systems described by him (generally modifications of the chief 

 systems) are here omitted in order to avoid confusion. 



I. Systems Depending on Reproduction by Seed. 



A. THE SELECTION SYSTEM. 



This system, as its name implies, is adapted to selection 

 stands. 



Since the virgin forest of all countries is an uneven-aged or 

 irregular high forest, the first and crudest system deals with this 

 and is called the "selection system," because the trees to be 

 harvested are selected here and there as they become mature. 



1 "Principles of Handling Woodlands," by Henry S. Graves: Wiley & Sons. 

 17 



