CHAPTER II. 



THE HIGH FOREST. 

 Paragraph IX. Genesis of the high forest and its methods. 



Wood crops can be started either naturally (from stump shoots, 

 root suckers and self-sown seed) or artificially (by planting seeds, 

 seedlings or cuttings). Forests starting from stump shoots, root- 

 suckers and cuttings are called " coppice forests." Forests start- 

 ing from seeds or seedlings are termed " high forests." 



A. Planting in Europe. 



Up to 18.30 seed planting only was practiced to start high 

 forests artificially. Since then seedling planting has gradually con- 

 quered the European field, especially in the case of Yellow and Wliite 

 Pine, Spruce, Ash, Maple and Larch. Beech and Fir are invariably 

 regenerated abroad from self-sown seed; also Oak in France, while in 

 Germany acorns are usually planted. 



B. Advisability of planting in America. 



Excepting the case of the prairies and, possibly the case of fields 

 abandoned by farmers in the Eastern States, the idea of artificial 

 propagation of forest crops (by planting) seems preposterous in 

 America. As long as an acre of virgin forest can be bought for a 

 lesser sum of money than is required, in the same locality, for the 

 successful re-forestation of an acre of ground, the chances for a re- 

 munerative outcome of planting seem very slim. However, the fol- 

 lowing points should not be lost sight of: 



I. The stumpage prices apt to prevail in America in the year 

 1 960 are likely to equal those now prevailing abroad. Hence the same 

 practice which is now remunerative abroad must prove paying in this 

 country; possibly more paying for the reason that the value of tlie 

 soil on which the growing crop must yield an annual dividend is 

 abroad about ten times as high as it is in the United States. 



IT. An expense for taxes and administration is incurred annually 

 by the forest owner, whether the forest ground is kept fully or only 

 partly stocked; hence it seems a remunerative venture to — at least — 

 reinforce natural regeneration by artificial planting. 



III. The growth of weeds naturally plentiful in primeval con- 

 ditions cannot be overcome unless radical artificial remedies are 

 adopted. 



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