94 FORESTRY IN GERMANY. 



{Kahle Abtriebe.) The entire clearing of a wood or forest cannot, except for special reasons 

 and then only with the consent of the state officials, be allowed. 



Sec. 10. For the purpose of keeping the forests young, in accordance with natural laws, 

 the following ages must be allowed to the various trees : 



I. (/k hochwaldungen). In highland forests: oak, 120 years; beach, 70 years; red and 

 white fir, 70 years; for Scotch fir, 70 years; 2. (/« niederwaldungen). In lowland forests: 

 hard wood trees, ;5 years; soft wood trees, 15 years; for tanning and timber wood, 12 years. 

 In forests of mixed woods the felling will be governed by the period of years prescribed for the 

 trees which prevail most. That is in a forest where the ratios are 5 pine; 7 birch, and 12 oak 

 trees, the cutting will take place at the time assigned for cutting oak ; and in cases where a 

 doubt exists the limit of hard wood shall be taken as the limit. 



Sec. II. In the highland forests the trees must be so trained that the outermost branches 

 of one tree will almost meet those of another, and shall also be kept in such a manner as to 

 allow the entire woodland to be covered with seed. In the case of leaf-bearing trees and 

 needle-bearing trees, with the exception of white fir, small openings will be permitted for Ught. 



Sec. 12. When, under the protecting shade of the larger trees, a growth of young trees 

 appears the large trees can be cut away after the little ones have attained the height of firom 3 

 to 5 inches ; but all the large trees shall not be cut down at once, but shall be cut down at two 

 or three periods ; but red fir and Scotch fir will be allowed to be cut down in the first period. 

 The young growth must, from time to time, even until the wood is ready for felling, be thinned 

 out, and especially must the trees of stunted growth be rooted out. 



Sec. 13. In the forests of low growing trees enough of the best old trees are to be spared 

 and kept for seed purposes. 



Sec. 14. In hoed, in rent (where only a few trees stand) and forests, where bark for tanning 

 is gathered, an exception to the foregoing can be made. 



Sec. 15. The wood, with the exception of timber wood, must not be cut, except in the time 

 between the beginning of September and the end of April. 



Sec. 16. In cutting the oldest trees and those most fully developed are to be cut first. In 

 mountainous districts the cutting must begin above and the trees must be so felled, row upon 

 row, that it will not be necessary to drag them through places planted with young trees. 



Sec. 17. Traveling through places planted with young trees is not allowed. If, however, 

 in such a place trees needed for a special use, and not to be found elsewhere, are found they 

 can be cut down. 



Sec. 18. In the making of a clearing, especially in woods of needle-bearing trees, the cut- 

 ting must be towards the west, as far as this is possible, in order that no harm come to the trees 

 from the inblowing winds. If this cannot be done a certain number of trees must be left on 

 tlie west side as a mantle against the sharp winds. 



Sec. 19. In felling trees where they are not rooted out they must be cut as near to the 

 ground as possible, when cut with an axe the stump left must not be over J inches high, and 

 when cut down with a saw not over 8 inches. Wood under 4 inches thick may be cut down 

 with the axe, wood over 4 inches must be sawed. 



Sec. 20. The cutting must be done in such a manner as to cause as little injury as possible 

 to young growths or neighboring trees. In low-growing trees the cuttings must be made with 

 very sharp axes, since the splitting of the shoots is not allowed. Trees that are felled in places 

 where seed have been sown must be removed at once after being felled. 



Sec. 2 1 . For brooms for stables, for strips for binding bundles, &c. ; for pea and bean-poles, 

 the young trees can be cut down only when they are misformed or remain stunted. Willows 

 must not be cut for any such purposes. 



Sec. 22. The tearing off of limbs from the trees is strictly forbidden, yet dry and withered 

 limbs may be broken away by the hand, but in no case must they lie cut away by tools. 



Regular days for the gathering of the ofial wood, &c., must be appointed by the owners 

 and forest officers. The districts in which the wood may be gathered must also be given. 



Sec. 23. The cutting, carpentering or manipulating of the timber wood in a forest where 



