THE SPROUT HARDWOODS REGION 359 



timber shall be cut. This is governed quite largely by the 

 species; for example, only chestnut can be used for poles, 

 chestnut and the oaks for ties, while for piles and lumber the 

 range is wider. At the time of cutting an investigation should 

 be made as to the most profitable product to cut for the stand 

 in question. The best product will vary from place to place 

 and season to season. It is not always possible to sell poles, 

 except when they happen to be needed for construction or re- 

 pair work. Piles are not salable everywhere and at all times. 

 Ties and lumber are more uniformly and constantly in demand. 



As a general rule poles and piles, when salable, are the most 

 profitable products. Ties and lumber are often about equal in 

 point of profit, with lumber leading in a majority of cases. 

 Usually in every stand it will pay best to put the better cuts 

 into lumber, the poorer into ties. 



The management thus far advised for the mixed hardwoods 

 type has been on the assumption that chestnut is desired, and 

 that the present hardwood growth is to be retained. As already 

 explained, the chestnut bark disease may in a few years destroy 

 the chestnut. If this happens generally (and already there are 

 tracts where the chestnut has been almost exterminated), other 

 trees should be introduced to replace the chestnut. These 

 should be conifers, preferably white and red pine. On lands 

 where the mature chestnut has been killed the planting of the 

 pines is strongly advised. Unless the stand was all chestnut a 

 few hundred plants per acre will be sufficient. 



For owners desiring the greatest ultimate financial returns, 

 the planting of pines generally through lands of the mixed 

 hardwoods tj^^e is strongly urged. The planting is best done 

 when the stand is cut clear at the end of the rotation. For a 

 few years after the planting the pine must be protected by 

 means of cleanings from the fast-growing hardwood sprouts. 



2. Hemlock. — The selection system is very effective if the 

 object is to maintain or increase the per cent of hemlock in 

 the type, but usually it is desirable to decrease the amount of 

 hemlock and convert the type to one more productive. Hem- 



