AMERICAN SYLVICULTURE 



1. Removal of leaves, weeds or moss. 



2. "Working the ground by pasturing hogs. 



3. Wounding the soil in open spaces, with a hoe. 



4. Breaking the soil with a strong plow. 



f. Lumbering. All cutting should be done as soon as possible 

 after the seeds have dropped so as to bring them into contact with 

 the ground at once. The wood or timber cut should be dragged to 

 the roads previous to the germination of the seeds. The heavier 

 the seed cutting is, the larger will be the percentage of seeds 

 finding germination. Most of the seeds are imbedded by the steps 

 of the woodsmen. 



Advance growth sliould be removed wherever it appears singly. 

 Care must be taken that remaining mother trees are not damaged 

 by lumbering. 



g. Covering the seeds: The covering of the seeds is left to 

 nature or to hazard. It might be advisable, however, to secure a 

 coA'ering artificially with the help of a rake, or by plowing, after 

 the seeds have dropped, or by pressing heavy seeds (nuts, acorns) 

 into the ground with a blunt stick. 



h. Fire: After the seeds have dropped, the utmost care must 

 be taken to prevent fire from running through the forest. A fire 

 previous to the dropping of the seed may be advantageous, espe- 

 cially in the case of Yellow Pines. After the seeding, however, it 

 should be prevented. 



III. The final stage. 



The removal of the seed trees left takes place during the final 

 stage. 



a. Purpose: By the gradual removal of the mother trees, the 

 yoimg forest is gradually lead into a life under changed conditions, 

 imtil it is ready to enjoy the full influence of sunshine, air and rain. 



b. Number of cuttings: Tlie more gradual the removal, the 

 less damage results for the young growth from the logging opera- 

 tions and from changed environments. On the other hand, it is 

 cheapest and best, from the logger's standpoint, to remove the 

 seed trees at one stroke. 



c. Beginning: The beginning of the final fellings depends on the 

 development of the young growth. In the case of poor soil, of light- 

 demanding species and of northern climate, fellings should start in 

 the fall following the seeding. 



In the case of shade-bearing species, strong soil and southern 

 climate, the second or third fall should be waited for. The drier 

 the locality, the quicker must be the removal of the mother trees. 



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