72 ELEMENTARY FORESTRY. 



advantage under the group, strip or other systems. Generally 

 it will at first consist in removing the dead, rotten and mature 

 trees and those of inferior species, and so give better oppor- 

 tunity for the more valuable kinds. This is a matter that calls 

 for much good judgment. Care should be exercised not to 

 make openings so large but what they will shortly be occupied 

 by seedlings of valuable trees. Where large openings are made 

 they are apt to become covered with grass, which is a great 

 detriment to any forest growth and always indicates that the 

 cutting has been done too rapidly for best results. 



The Ax and Saw, then, as will be seen from the foregoing 

 paragraphs, furnish the most important means when used 

 judiciously in securing the best growth of timber in forests of 

 this section and the proper succession of growth on forest land. 



The Farm Woodlot is a customary feature on many farms 

 in the northeastern states. As a rule it occupies land that is of 

 very little value for any other purpose. It is generally not man- 

 aged at all, but left to look after itself,- and often it is pastured. 

 It is expected to furnish firewood, posts and poles and an occa- 

 sional stick of dimension stuff. Too often the best is cut and the 

 poorest left to grow. Under such rough treatment the woodlot 

 becomes stocked with an inferior growth that is of little value 

 except for firewood, and it does not produce as much of that as 

 it might under a different system of management. 



Improving the Woodlot. The general rules laid down for 

 the management of forests will apply here. The cattle should 

 be kept out, so as to give the young seedlings a chance to grow. 

 Improvement cuttings should be introduced with a view of get- 

 ting rid of the crooked and mature trees and those of inferior 

 species andof encouraging a growth of young seedlings of val- 

 uable kinds, 



