THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF WORKING PLANS 183 



actual boundaries are usually topographic — ravines, ridges, 

 etc. — with artificial boundaries — roads, trails, cut-out lanes, 

 etc. — as needed. For mere division of area a width of 3 metres 

 (9.84 feet) * suffices; where protection from fire or wind also 

 comes into play (formation or wind-mantles), the width must 

 be increased accordingly. 



The determination of existing conditions (the first task of 

 forest organization) begins with the division of each compart- 

 ment into forest and non-forest soil; the latter includes not 

 only those areas unsuited for forest, but also those suited for 

 forest but used otherwise. Where accurate measurements are 

 impossible, as in the Alpine zone, estimates of the relative 

 area suffice. 



Of the forest areas, those are to be distinguished whose 

 yield is naturally very slight (Alpine type) or, for reasons of 

 protection, cost of logging, etc., do not permit of complete, 

 regular utihzation. 



The compartment is divided into subcompartments. The 

 basis of this division is the individual stand. On the stand as 

 the ultimate unit is built up the entire management. f 



The stand, or subcompartment, must be a unit as regards 

 site, soil quality, species, age, and character (growth, density, 

 health, etc.). A stand must differ in at least one of these 

 features in order to be made into a subcompartment. However, 

 all minor differences are to be disregarded. The minimum 

 size of a subcompartment is usually i hectare (2.47 acres). 



In coppice and in selection forest the segregation of stands 

 (subcompartments) is often impossible, and the compartments 

 must sufiice. 



Wherever possible the subcompartment boundaries are to 



* In Saxony the main compartment lines running north and south (Wirt- 

 schaftsstreifen) average 9 metres (29.52 feet); the secondary compartment lines 

 running east and west (Schneisen) average 45 metres (14.76 feet). 



t " Die ausgeschiedenen Bestande — die Unterabteilungen — sind die Wirt- 

 schaftseinheiten. Sie bilden die Grundlage fiir die Ordnung der Wirtschaft und 

 fiir die Nutzung des Waldes, sowie fiir die Buchung der Ertrage und des 

 Auf wands." 



