THE SELECTION METHOD. 101 



mature, will always occur. By this method, the 

 number of the old trees will constantly go on increas- 

 ing, and the transformation will more and more 

 resemble a regular regeneration. 



We have stated that no thinnings are to be made, 

 and this for the following reasons : it must be re- 

 membered that we are operating on crops where 

 the ages are mixed together in the most confused 

 manner. The stock can be kept complete only on 

 the condition of preserving suppressed trees, as well 

 as those that overtop others, and the former are 

 necessary in order to replace the latter, in case these 

 succumb to some accident. Moreover, thinnings 

 cannot be justified, except to establish a certain uni- 

 formity of age, and frequently this could not be done 

 except by sacrificing trees in full growth, which are 

 the birthright of generations yet to come. To give 

 up to the present generation the sum total of pro- 

 duction, would be to allow it to abuse its right of 

 usufruct. Lastly, while compromising the future of 

 the forest, we should be acting directly contrary to 

 one of the three objects that a rational method of 

 working forests should always have in view, viz., a 

 steady yield. 



It is worth while to remark that the rotation, in 

 the course of which the transformation is to be 

 effected, should be equal to the normal or regular 

 rotation. For, at its expiration, we should be in a 

 position to find timber that will be exploitable, not 

 only at the commencement, but during the entire 

 length of the second rotation. 



MAINTENANCE OF THE SELECTION METHOD. We 



