SYLVICULTURE 



i3moval. It pays only as an investment since the stuff removed lias 

 a negative value. 



The purpose of weeding might be the extirpation of sup- 

 pressors of young growth; or an exchange of unhealthy crooked, 

 iire-scalded, flat-headed poles for new, vigoroiis stump sprouts 

 (Spanish and White Oak at Biltmore). 



The term " weeding " is not found in books on Sylviculture ; it 

 forms, however, under present conditions often one of the most 

 important and most remunerative sylvicultural acts. 



Weeds are either girdled (deadened) or cut. 



In the case of weeds having a diameter of over 6 inches, 

 girdling is often preferable, because cheaper than cutting. More- 

 over, the cutting of broad leaf weeds often tends to merely replace 

 the weed by weed sprouts. 



To prevent this, in the case of sapling weeds, crushing shears 

 might be used. 



Some cottonwoods cannot be extirpated by deadening. In that 

 case, the peeling of a strip of bark three feet long at a point two 

 feet above ground is advisable. Cutting of weeds in August reduces 

 the chances of their recovery. In the Adirondacks, the weeding of 

 Beech overshadowing Spruce might be advisable, because remunera- 

 tive. 



Paragraph LXI. Improvement cutting in high forest. 



The term improvement cutting was introduced into Indian prac- 

 tice by Sir Lietrich Brandis. Improvement cuttings are cuttings 

 for revenue and for partial regeneration, combined -with weeding. 



An improvement cutting extracts from irregular w^oods: 



A. Hypermature or dead trees still of value. 



B. Misshapen immature trees. 



C. Species of minor value. 



D. Weeds of pole size and tree size. 



Essential it is for the character of an improvement cutting, 

 that it is intended to result, on the aggregate, in a surplus revenue. 

 Cuttings, on the other hand, which leave the premises in a materially 

 decreased financial value, can, of course, not be considered as im- 

 provement cuttings. Again, cuttings made at a sacrifice, with a 

 view to an increased prospective value of the forest, are " weedings " 

 or " cleanings " w^hich must be considered as investments, like the 

 expenses spent for regeneration. 



I. The purpose of improvement cuttings is or may be: 



a. A surplus revenue. 



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