INTRODUCTION 41 



forest there are always some species more desirable than 

 others. Poor forestry results in the decrease of the bet- 

 ter species. In making cuttings for natural reproduction 

 the better species are favored, with the aim of securing as 

 large a proportion of them as possible in the new crop. 



Successful forestry results, in the long run, in the 

 gradual reduction in the proportion of the less valuable 

 species, and their replacement by the more desirable 

 ones. 



In determining the most desirable species, the follow- 

 ing points are considered: 



1. The Intrinsic Value. — Ordinarily the tree whose 

 wood is of the greatest intrinsic value is preferred. 



2. The Rapidity of Growth. — Often a rapid growing 

 tree is preferred, even if its wood is less valuable than 

 that of some other species. 



3. Suitability to Market. — The future market must be 

 considered, as well as the present. Frequently, foresters 

 regard certain species as undesirable because there is no 

 present market for them, when their intrinsic qualities 

 indicate that ultimately they will be valuable. 



4. Logging Conditions. — The problem of handling and 

 transporting the logs must be considered. In the moun- 

 tains conifers are usually preferred to hardwoods, because 

 they are more easily handled; and if there are streams, 

 they can be driven. It is not merely the probable mar- 

 ket which is considered, but also the cost of placing the 

 product on the market. The profits, rather than the 

 market value, may determine the desirability of a species. 



