204. SECTIONAL ADDRESSES 
sizes of the highest quality possible, may be met, and adequate provision 
made for the regeneration of these woods, without loss of time and with- 
out deterioration to the productive capacity of the soil, and at the same 
time make as full use as possible of all growth factors, without interfering 
too much with the natural laws of forest growth? This is a big and im- 
portant question, and in my humble opinion the solution suggested by 
Prof. Heinrich Mayr of Munich seems to fulfil all these requirements. 
His suggestion was to compromise between the economic objects of man, 
the user, and the natural laws which govern the designs of Nature, the 
producer. He suggested that the forest should be made up of small 
compartments, 1 to 8 acres, each compartment to consist of one species. 
These small pure compartments would be scattered as much as possible, 
so that adjacent compartments would differ in age and species. We 
would thus have a forest of mixed small compartments differing in age 
and species. Due attention would be given to assigning each species 
to its most suitable soil and exposure. Where conditions were such 
that only one species would grow satisfactorily, owing to physiographical 
conditions, such as in the mountains, pure sand, wet soils, cold climate, 
the compartments may be larger, about 14 acres, if desired, and the 
same species may adjoin each other, but the age difference between 
adjoining compartments should be varied. The present division of the 
forest into large compartments need not be done away with, but each 
large compartment should be subdivided into sub-compartments—small 
compartments—which would become permanent units of management. 
Each small compartment treated from its earliest stages with a view to 
natural regeneration would, under later light increment treatment, always 
be in such a condition that natural regeneration could be imitated without 
long and costly preparation. ‘The process could be completed within 
five years, and the risks of failure would be small compared with those of 
large contiguous areas, where ecological and biological conditions vary. 
In the small stand, the more open stand of the trees under the light 
increment treatment and the shelter afforded by adjacent stands would 
eliminate the necessity of the risky and lengthy preparatory fellings— 
a seeding felling and one final felling would suffice. ‘Thus, as Prof. Mayr 
claims, natural regeneration could be made easier, speedier, and safer. 
The danger and risks from wind, fire, insect and fungus epidemics would 
be lessened ; the varied demands for different kinds, sorts and sizes of 
timber could be more easily met. ‘The forest community as a whole 
would approximate that of the primeval or natural forest, and the 
productivity of the soil would at least be preserved, if not improved. 
To turn now to another aspect of the forest as a living community of 
plants and animals. The forest is perennial, and less subject to seasonal 
changes than other forms of massed vegetation. ‘The tree stems raise 
their crowns of branches, twigs and leafy canopy high above the forest 
floor, and this hasa marked influence on the light, temperature and moisture 
conditions within the forest. Light is subdued, but temperature and 
moisture are both increased, and this, combined with a relatively still 
atmosphere, render the conditions within and under the crowns of the 
trees quite different from those of open country. Under the leafy canopy 
