SYSTEMS OF CLEAR-CUTTING 93 



We may well say that under such circumstances for- 

 estry would be unsuccessful, and that it would be bet- 

 ter policy in a public forest of this character to resort to 

 artificial reproduction. It is probable, therefore, that 

 under these difficult circumstances certain areas will be 

 designated upon which natural reproduction is so difficult 

 and hazardous that a system of restocking by artificial 

 means will be adopted. 



The actual conduct of the work would be governed 

 by local conditions. Under the circumstances just de- 

 scribed extensive clear-cuttings would be dangerous, for 

 if it is difficult to secure natural reproduction it will also 

 be difficult to protect the young trees from the drying 

 influences. There has been little experience in planting 

 such a tree as Western yellow pine under the conditions 

 in question. The methods must be learned by ex- 

 periments which will also determine how much shelter is 

 required by the trees in youth. It may be necessary 

 to restrict clear-cuttings to patches not over 10 or 1 ^ 

 acres in extent, or it may be found necessary to leave a 

 portion of the stand as a shelter during the early life of 

 the young trees. In the latter case the system of forestry 

 would no longer be clear-cutting, but one of the methods 

 of shelterwood cuttings described in a later chapter. 



Use in State Forests. — There will be in the near 

 future many areas within State Forests where an intensive 

 system of forestry can be practised. In practically all 

 States there will be developed State nurseries and an 

 organization for planting. At first, just as in the Na- 



