424 



stump sprouts or coppice growth. However, the size aud quality of the 

 timber produced in this way is much inferior to that formed from seed- 

 lings. For quick reproduction, advantage of this sprouting tendency should 

 be taken in trees like the oak, basswood, catalpa and hickory. 



HOW TO REACH THE MODEL. 



The next point to demand our attention is how to bring the existing 

 woodlots into model conditions. The examination of this problem may 

 be conveniently considered under three heads: (1) Protection. (2) Gen- 

 eral Improvement Cuttings, and (3) Improvement of Type Stands. 



PROTECTION. 



The necessity for protection arises from the loss occasioned by graz- 

 ing, fire, insects, fungi, wind and careless work in the woods. 



Grazing. — Grazing injures a forest in two ways — by browsiug and by 

 trampling. Domestic animals browse sprouts and young seedlings, break 

 off shoots and buds and gnaw the bark of trees. By the destruction of 

 herbage the sharp hoofs of sheep cause loose soil to become looser and 

 stiff soil to become more compact. Cattle and horses are much less harm- 

 ful than sheep about trampling, although their hoofs frequently tear away 

 small rootlets. This disturbance of the soil and soil cover seriously inter- 

 feres with its water supply. In general the results of grazing make it 

 imperative to exclude all stock from the woodlot. 



Fire. — Fire is another great enemy of forests. The leaf litter aud 

 humus, young growth upon which the future supply depends, and mature 

 trees are all affected. A single fire does not usually seriously injure older 

 trees but a series of fires either burns' them up completely or leaves them 

 in such a weakened condition that they are blown down by wind or at- 

 tacked by insects and fungi, and then furnish a source of infection for 

 other trees. But in this thickly settled region fires are easily handled, 

 for they can readily be seen and extinguished. 



Insects. — The following conclusions regarding insect injury have been 

 drawn from a careful investigation of the existing conditions throughout 

 the state:* 



(1) Insects causing the death of the tree: 



(a) Found in extensive numbers and causing serious injury, as fol- 

 lows : Bark beetles on oaks, hickories and locust. 



*Report of State Board of Foresty, 1907. 



