142 FOREST PLANTING. 



ting and removing all mature and overmature trees, 

 observing as far as possible the restriction made by- 

 thinning out the woods, viz., to preserve the natural soil 

 conditions to the best of our ability. 



(6) While in cutting and removing wood products out 

 of the forests the rule of performing this work with the 

 greatest care and regard toward the adjoining tree- 

 growth has to be strictly obeyed (see p. 114. i.f.) ; the 

 felling itself should be done so as to promote a natural 

 reproduction according to the directions given in Chapter 

 XII. But where this is impracticable — and this will 

 often happen in wild woods — there should be no delay 

 in establishing forest nurseries, not only for rearing the 

 required seedlings for restocking or filling out denuded 

 wood areas ; but also for collecting at the proper times 

 ripe seeds from the most desirable kinds of trees in the 

 whole forest. A good gardener, well versed in the culture 

 of trees, will prove fully competent to manage such a 

 concern. 



Thus it will be seen that the possible absence of men 

 fully acquainted with the methods of scientific forestry 

 should not prevent us from the int' rduction of a rational 

 treatment of our wild woods, as every thing that has to 

 be done during the first four or five years before scien- 

 tific methods may be employed, can be perfectly done 

 by our own citizens without any prejudice to the future 

 management. In the mean time, if it should be necessary 

 to employ skilled foresters, enough of them will probably 

 be found.* 



* The report of the State Forest Commission for 1886, on page 17. i.f., 

 contends that scientifically educated foresters cannot be obtained here. 

 This statement is not supported by facts, as skilled foresters are very 

 often, through the advertising columns of the New Tork news- 

 papers, seeking employment. Certainly they do not find it in the 

 management of woods, because such a thing like that does not exist 

 here ; but they embark in allied employments, especially in agriculture. 

 However, as soon as the State will introduce a systematic management 



