REPORT ON FORESTS. 287 
ing, although regular thinnings are necessary almost throughout 
the whole period of its life. 
In this way, even in America, the forest will yield a small but 
constant income, since there is some demand for cedar poles. 
When sawed in half, barked and soaked in preservatives, these 
poles, even when very small, are of use in the construction of 
fences. In spite of the common use of wire, there is still in 
America great demand for good fence material. "These saplings 
are useful for vine-props, masts for small boats, handles for 
rakes, boat-hooks and the like, racks for wagons and stalls, flag-- 
poles, plaster-laths, fence-palings, and even shingles. In fact, 
from the time the tree reaches a diameter of three inches it is 
useful. 
If a cedar tree becomes covered with gray lichens, as is often 
the case, it indicates slow growth, unhealthfulness and unsuit- 
able environment. 
The cedar is a great seed-producer, even when quite young. 
The seeds are formed in small cones and are easily collected. 
A pure stand of cedar may be secured in three ways. If one has 
a mixed deciduous swamp, with here and there a cedar, as is 
common, the easiest way to convert it into a pure stand of cedar 
is to cut and keep down all trees except the cedar. These seed- 
trees, with the admission of light and air, will produce an 
abundance of seed. A stand of cedar produced in this way 
may be irregular and uncertain. Perhaps the easiest and 
quickest way to secure a stand of this tree is to plant it. 
Young cedars are constantly invading cranberry bogs where 
they are very unwelcome. ‘These can be easily secured in large 
numbers, and are better for planting than the spindling speci- 
mens from the woods. Another way is to sow the seed. After 
removing all the trees and brush from the place where a cedar 
stand is desired, when not too dry, it is best to burn over the 
surface, and then sow the seed mixed with dirt. 
Among those species which grow with surprising rapidity, 
even on poor soils, and which may be easily propagated, the 
cottonwood or Carolina-poplar (Populus deltoides) deserves first 
place. 
In speaking of this tree in his bulletin on the cultivated | 
poplars, Prof. Bailey says: ‘Taking all things into consider-. 
