SYSTEMS OF CLEAR-CUTTING 129 



from fire, the condition of the timber, and the succeeding 

 operations which will remove the balance of the stand. 

 The clearings are located with reference to the same con- 

 siderations. Their location is a matter of careful and 

 skilful selection in contrast to a conventional arrangement 

 of cleared strips of uniform width at regular intervals. 



Location of Strips. — In locating on the ground the 

 areas to be cut, the forester should keep in mind the 

 following considerations: 



1. Logging. — The question of practical logging must 

 be considered first of all. The location of the cutting 

 areas, which would be most advantageous from the 

 silvicultural standpoint, might, under some circum- 

 stances, be entirely impracticable on account of the diffi- 

 culties and cost of logging. Under a given setx>f condi- 

 tions of forest and topography, the required method of 

 logging is pretty clearly defined. The method of log- 

 ging, the location of roads, and the cost of constructing 

 them, the cost of installing the appliances, the cost of 

 cutting the logs and transporting them to market, and 

 their market value, must determine the general arrange- 

 ment of the clearings and their approximate size. Their 

 precise location depends, in addition, on the considera- 

 tions discussed below. 



2. Reproduction. — The clearings are sufficiently nar- 

 row to enable the distribution of seed over them from the 

 seed-trees standing on the border. The form of the 

 cleared areas is a matter of no importance as far as repro- 

 duction is concerned. For the reasons explained on page 



