174 ECONOMICS OF FORESTRY. 



ing the weed trees and also leaving more seed 

 trees. 



The result is a forest in which all ages and 

 sizes are scattered over the entire area, coming 

 nearest to the conditions of nature. 



This system, in which the young crop has a 

 poor chance to develop, and which is applicable 

 to shade-enduring species only, is recommended 

 for protective forest areas. In Germany it is 

 applied only on small areas and on the steepest 

 slopes, less than lo per cent of the German forest 

 area being managed under it, and in the Prussian 

 state forests, less than ^ per cent. 



The continuous soil cover, to be sure, is a 

 feature which is its greatest recommendation, 

 but this is secured at great expense and loss in 

 accretion. 



To permit a better chance for the young growth, 

 the so-called " group method " has been lately de- 

 vised, in which not single trees, but groups of 

 trees, are removed and the opening is expected 

 to be seeded by the neighboring trees. From 

 time to time, as soon as the young growth is well 

 established, the opening is enlarged and additions 

 of young growth secured in the form of an irregular 

 ring or band around that of preceding years. 



An older method, similar to the last, consists in 

 making the opening in the form of a narrow strip 

 at right angles to the prevailing winds, and as the 

 ground is seeded to clear a new strip toward the 



