474 APPENDIX 



in the stand, "the introduction of valuable species into the stands whose mixture is 

 unsatisfactory." Hence, the French forest management is seen to be in that position 

 to which it is assigned in the newer German literature, especially by Borggreve.^ 



In the French forests which we visited, natural reproduction was doubtless the 

 best method of establishing the stand. It demanded a minimum expenditure of money; 

 the young growth grew in a good close stand; the maintenance of that species best 

 suited to the site is assured. Even in German practice natural reproduction has, 

 under corresponding conditions, been looked upon as by far the preferable method 

 since the time of G. L. Hartig. But the conditions necessary for natural reproduction 

 of the oak very frequently do not occur in Germany. In the first place its profitable 

 application is impossible because of the fact that stands do not occur which are adapted 

 to the establishing of seeding compartments. Near young stands the oak occurs 

 chiefly as isolated veterans in pure beech. Stands of middle age suitable for repro- 

 duction are rare in most of the larger forest regions. These are mostly beech stands 

 into which the oak has been artificially introduced. Next it is to be noted that in 

 Germany the chmatic conditions are far less favorable than in France, where optimum 

 sites are found. The system of management applicable, therefore, would seem to be 

 artificial regeneration of the stand if the oak is to be grown in sufficient quantities. 

 As having a direct bearing upon the status of the question under consideration there 

 may be mentioned the excellent stands of oak reproduction on the Oberforesterei (forest) 

 of Eichelsdorf which were described before the Meeting of German Foresters in Darm- 

 stadt (1905) by Forstmeister (Supervisor) Trautivein, who has for many years been 

 manager of that forest. Sowing in strips not too far apart under the protection of the 

 succeeding beech-rnast is the method used in establishing the stands. In most of the 

 other southern and central German forest regions also, especially in Spessart, in Nassau, 

 etc., sowing is the prevaiUng method of reproduction.^ On the other hand, in North 

 Germany natural reproduction can hardly be considered the common method. Satis- 

 factory reproduction over large areas, instead of merely in groups, is not really practi- 

 cable because of the scarcity of mast. 



The foregoing discussions apply, in so far as they are of general application, to other 

 species as well as to the oak. For all, natural reproduction is to be recommended 

 where suitable conditions of site and stand occur, and where it is desired to grow the 

 species which occurs on the site. With all, however, a greater or lesser relation exists 

 to the existent chemico-physical and ecological conditions. In the case of beech G. L. 

 Hartig's amount of reproduction was diminished by the requirements of the conver- 

 sion of the beech or the invasion of intolerant species. In the case of spruce it is im- 

 practicable on many sites because of the danger from storms (windfall). In the case 

 of pine the trials which have been made of natural reproduction have been very unsatis- 

 factory in their results. Judging by our observations, it seems that, contrary to the 

 principles set forth in the Handbook of the Paris Exposition the artificial regeneration 

 of stands under French management is increasing ^ in amount and importance. It 



'^ Die Forstreinertragslehre, 1878, close of the book "Die principaliter — man ver- 

 steherecht — als Regel verlaugte naturliche Verjungung (which chiefly — it can readily be 

 understood — as a rule requires natural reproduction," etc.); Die Holzzucht, 2d edition, 

 p. 117, Die Naturbesamung (Natural seeding). 



* Of course, where suitable conditions of stand and site occur (oak seed trees abund- 

 ant over large areas) natural reproduction with simple artificial aid (Nachhilfe) is still 

 a very satisfactory method of establishing oak. It is therefore practiced by preference 

 and with good results by forest owners with broader experience, as the author has had 

 opportunity of seeing on a trip made some months ago (August, 1906) through the 

 Forstamt (Forest office) of Rohrbrunn and the Oberforsterei (forest) of Salmiinster. 



^ This prediction is certainly erroneous now that labor is so scarce and so costly. — 

 T. S. W., Jr. 



