546 2^/16 Philippine Journal of Science 1914 



been due to the sudden and complete change of forest conditions 

 which has followed the removal of the main canopy. The solu- 

 tion of the problem presented by the clear-cutting system under 

 such conditions is to restrict the area of cutting to the smallest 

 limit possible with the methods and appliances of utilization in 

 force in the area. In other words, a system of clear cutting 

 in strips where the strips are, if possible, less than twice the 

 height of the trees is indicated as the most satisfactory system 

 of management under the existing conditions. 



From the management standpoint the removal of only a 

 portion of an overmature forest, such as this, is unsatisfactory, 

 in as much as that part of the timber which is left will have 

 to remain on the ground for a large portion of the succeeding 

 rotation and will, therefore, deteriorate and in certain places 

 possibly be an entire loss. It should be possible, however, to 

 remove the bulk of the stand at the first cut. Satisfactory con- 

 ditions of reproduction might be obtained if openings in the 

 forest were confined to strips running perpendicular to the 

 direction of the prevailing wind, provided these strips were not 

 more than 200 meters in width. The intervening strips of 

 forest which are left on the ground should not be less than 

 100 meters in width. Following out a system such as this, 

 two-thirds of the stand could be removed at the first cut, and 

 with care in the location of the strips it should be possible to 

 locate the areas to be cut in situations where the greatest over- 

 maturity exists. It would not be advisable to adhere closely 

 to one standard width of strip, but this should vary with the 

 composition of the forest, slope of the land, known rate of 

 gro^vth of the trees, and distribution of the stand by volume 

 throughout the various size classes. Thus, in Negros, species 

 such as Shorea negrosensis (red lauan) and Shorea eximia 

 (almon) show themselves better able to reproduce under open 

 conditions than do Shorea polysperma (tanguile or balacbacan) 

 and Dipterocarpus grandiflorus (apitong). Wherever the bulk 

 of the stand is composed of the first two species, it would be 

 possible to make the strips wider than the average, while where 

 the other species predominate it might be necessary to restrict 

 cutting to narrower strips. Where it is possible to locate the 

 strips for cutting in broad gulches bordered on each side by 

 well-wooded hills, the strips might be made twice the width of 

 the average, while the forest on the tops of the ridges should 

 never be removed, unless it is absolutely necessary. If this 

 system were put into practice, a careful study of the conditions 

 in the openings so made should follow the cutting, and the later 



