SYLVICULTURE 



2. Working the ground by pasturing hogs. 



3. Wounding the soil in open spaces, Avith a hoe. 



4. Breaking the soil with a strong plow. 



f. Lumbering. All cutting should be done as soon as possible 

 after the seeds have dropped so as to bring them into contact with the 

 ground at once. The wood or timber cut should be dragged to the 

 roads previous to the germination ot the seeds. The heavier the 

 seed cutting is, the larger will be the percentage of seeds finding 

 germination. Most of the seeds are imbedded by the steps of the 

 woodsmen. 



Advance growth should be removed wherever it appears singly. 

 Care must be taken that remaining mother trees are not damaged 

 by lumbering. 



g. Covering the seeds: The covering of the seeds is invariably 

 left to nature or to hazard. It might be advisable, however, to se- 

 cure a covering artificially with the help of a rake, or by plowing, 

 after the seeds have dropped, or by pressing heavy seeds (nuts, 

 acorns) into the ground with a blunt stick. 



h. Fire: After the seeds have dropped, the utmost care must 

 be taken to prevent fire from running through the forest. A fire 

 previous to the droj^ping of the seed may be advantageous, especially 

 in the case of Yellow Pines. After the seeding, however, it should 

 be prevented. 



III. The Final stage. 

 The removal of the seed trees left takes place during the final stage. 



a. Purpose: sij the gradual removal of the mother trees, the 

 young forest is gradually lead into a life imder changed conditions, 

 until it is ready to enjoy the full influence of sunshine, air and rain. 



b. Number of cuttings: The more gradual the removal, tiie 

 less damage results for the young growth from the logging opera- 

 tions and from changed environments. On the other hand, it is 



cheapest and best, from the logger's standpoint, to remove the seed 

 trees at one stroke. 



c. Beginning: The beginning of the final fellings depends on the 

 development of the young growth. In the case of poor soH, or light 

 demanding species and of northern climate, fellings should start in 

 the fall following the seeumg. 



In the case of shade-bearing species, strong soil and southern 

 climate the second or third fall should be waited for. The drier 

 the locality, the quicker must be the removal of the mother trees. 



d. Duration: The duration of the final stage depends on species, 

 on quality of soil, on success of seeding cutting, on occurrence of 



112 



