26 BULLETIN 234, U. S. DEPABTMEXT OF AGEICTJLTTJBE. 



OBJECTS OF MARKING. 



The main object of cutting done on the Deerlodge Forest will be to secure the 

 greatest possible increase of increment for the Forest, as a whole, but not necessarily 

 for each particular acre cut over considered by itself. 



The overmature stands will be cut with the intention of removing the old timber 

 now at a standstill and securing a stand of rapidly growing reproduction in its place. 



Mature stands will be cut with the object of removing the larger trees now ripe in 

 size for cutting and retaining the smaller trees so situated that many of them will 

 grow to a diameter of over 9 inches within the next 20 to 50 years. Reproduction is not 

 aimed at, although the manner of cutting will secure it in many openings and will 

 hasten its growth in the many places where it already occurs. 



Young stands will be handled by improvement thinnings, strictly with the idea of 

 saving the most promising trees and giving them sufficient room to grow rapidly in 

 the future to good size. 



CLASSIFICATION OF EXPOSURES. 



The following classification is made as a guide to the 'men doing the marking, with 

 the object of adjusting the severity of the cutting, in the mature stands particularly, 

 to the purpose of securing safety from windfall. 



The prevailing wind direction is southwest for the Forest as a whole, although it 

 may be modified locally by topography. 



Especially moist and especially shallow soils increase the danger of windfall and 

 should therefore be given consideration in classifying various areas as to exposure. 

 The presence of former windfalls should also be considered. 

 Safe exposures: 



In this classification are included the bottoms of gulches, as a rule, except 

 where they lie parallel to the course of the prevailing wind for a considerable 

 distance. Slopes to the north and east, or in any direction where short or unim- 

 portant and well protected by considerably higher ground not far to windward. 

 Examples of such areas are the bottoms of the gulches and the slopes on the 

 Divide Creek sale area. 

 Medium exposures: 



This includes the larger flat areas, gentle, lower slopes to the south and west, 

 and the minor ridge tops where protected by high hills or mountains not far to 

 windward. Examples are the flats and gentle slopes to the west below the main 

 flume at French Gulch, the minor ridge tops on Divide Creek, and the higher 

 portion of the Dry Gulch sale area. 

 Great exposures: 



The crests of exposed ridges and exposed slopes to south and west not protected 

 by marked topography. Such areas would include the south and west face of 

 Slide Rock Mountain and the ridge between Julius and Vanetti Gulches on the 

 French Gulch sale area. 



METHODS OF MARKING. 



1. Overmature — Clean cutting: 



Cut all timber merchantable under the terms of the contract excepting that 

 under 7 inches diameter breast high. 



Leave groups of smaller size trees and young growth as carefully preserved as 

 possible. 



Leave none of the larger trees as a protection against windfall. 



The trees left, together with the seed already in the soil and in the cones of 

 trees cut, will provide for reproduction. 



