SYSTEMS OF CLEAR-CUTTING 131 



125 the clearings should be as narrow as is compatible 

 with practical requirements of logging. They must not 

 be wider than the distance of abundant seed distribution. 



The clearings are so located that there will be nu- 

 merous seed-trees on the border, especially on the side 

 toward the prevailing wind. Where there is danger of 

 injury to the soil and to the reproduction by drying 

 winds, the cuttings are as far as possible located so that 

 the remaining stands act as shelter belts and reduce the 

 winds' unfavorable influence. 



In general, the cutting areas are located more on the 

 lower than on the upper slopes, when this is compatible 

 with the proper operation of the second cutting. There 

 are several advantages, as follows: 



a. The present logging is facilitated — at the time of 

 poorest market conditions. 



b. The location of seed-trees above a clearing is bet- 

 ter than below it, and such a location enables a larger 

 opening to be made. 



c. The steepest part of the slopes are kept under for- 

 est at a time when market conditions only permit a clear 

 cutting. 



d. Very commonly, as a result of old clearings by 

 fire, the trees on the upper slopes are younger than those 

 below; and the greatest amount of unsound timber is 

 usually on the lower ground. 



3. Condition of the Forest. — The irregular arrangement 

 of clearings enables the forester to cut just those stands 

 which are most in need of attention, namely, the patches 



