THE SELECTION SYSTEM 69 



While this item is difficult to estimate, it is never 

 large. 



4. Value of Seed-Trees. — If seed-trees are left which 

 have a value now, but will deteriorate before the next 

 cut, there is an item of cost. Ordinarily, such trees are 

 not left. Their total would be so small as to be insig- 

 nificant in a large operation. If thrifty trees are left 

 which will live till the next cut it is an investment com- 

 parable to that of leaving the small merchantable trees. 

 The increase of stumpage price will often more than 

 cover the investment, even if there should be no increase 

 in volume by growth. 



5. Cost of Improvement Work. — Under this head 

 are comprised special measures to aid reproduction, and 

 to improve the condition of the small trees. Usually this 

 investment is not made at all. In case of valuable species, 

 improvement work is often desirable and profitable. 



Intensive Development of the Selection System 



It has been shown that the selection system is usually 

 the first development of forestry in a newly developed 

 country. With a virgin forest of selection form and with 

 a market only for the largest and best trees, the lumber- 

 man's first cutting resembles a conservative selection 

 cutting, even though not designed by him to be such. 

 With unfavorable market conditions, the system may 

 thus be applied in a crude or primitive manner. On the 

 other hand, with good market and logging conditions it 

 may be developed into one of the most highlv inten- 



