VARIOUS SYSTEMS OF FOREST MANAGEMENT. 63 



carefully removed and replaced by others of a suitable 

 character. 



This sort of forest culture is resorted to upon mountain 

 summits, to retain the atmospheric moisture in the 

 ground, and upon steep declivities, to prevent rains from 

 washing down the soil and causing land-slides. It is also 

 applied upon level plains, where areas of loose sand, if 

 not retained by forest trees, may spread in sand-drifts 

 and bury adjacent cultivated fields. Agricultural lands 

 which are exposed to strong winds and frost, can be pro- 

 tected against these influences by surrounding them with 

 the proper trees, disposed in screens or belts. This 

 treatment is especially useful in small farms where a sus- 

 tained growth upon the wood-plot is highly desirable, 

 and for this reason it will be of practical benefit to us. 



If from the foregoing suggestions it should appear de- 

 sirable that an application of the methods above alluded 

 to should be made to our wild or natural forests, it is 

 evident that the so-called plenter management would be 

 the best adapted to them. We are still in the fortunate 

 position that Ave need not look out either for the natural 

 products of the State forests, or for revenues derived 

 from them ; but we should make use of this oj^portunity 

 and employ better and more efficient means to preserve our 

 forests, than those which are calculated to protect them 

 against fire and spoliation only. We should put an end 

 to the present chaotic condition within the forests, and 

 introduce a methodical exploitation of the woods, combined 

 with a proper care for the undergrowth, so that the trees 

 cultivated shall be such as are most adapted to the dif- 

 ferent localities of our widely dispersed state forest, and 

 may satisfy the demands of the people for fuel, timber 

 and lumber. Under expert management we can reach 

 these objects, and at least make our forests self-sup- 

 porting, provided that at regular intervals every har- 

 vested forest product is sold at public auction, and not 



