14 IMPROVEMENT THINNING. 



five years if the stand were thinned once or twice during its 

 course of development. This would mean a saving of ten 

 years in a hundred, or ten per cent of the time involved in 

 growing such crops. 



The saving of five years in fifty does not appeal to a 

 mortal man with the same force that the actual saving to 

 the industries of a country would warrant. The ordinary 

 land owner is not so much interested in hastening the ma- 

 turity of a crop which he cannot hope to reap, even if it can 

 be done without expense, as he would be, could he hope to 

 live to enjoy the gain. The long periods of time involved 

 in producing timber crops make a powerful argument for 

 State, city, and town ownership of considerable tracts of 

 forest land, to be used and managed so as to insure timber 

 supplies to future generations. 



Improved Appearance. 



In the course of improvement thinnings many unsightly 

 trees are removed ; many diseased and unthrifty trees are 

 also removed. This, together with increase in general health 

 and thrift, tends to make a forest stand more attractive to 

 the eye. Where woodlands are used for park purposes as 

 well as for timber production, moderate improvement thin- 

 nings are highly recommended. They should, however, be 

 conducted under careful supervision, as the tendency is often 

 towards a radical treatment. 



Private owners, who wish to improve the appearance of 

 their farms and estates, can in many instances do a great deal 

 in that direction by the very simple means of improvement 

 thinnings. 



