98 European Plans of Forest Management. 



from the stump at all, and of these the after-gro>vth does not pro- 

 duce a new crop of much value. 



368. Although most deciduous trees will sprout when cut, some 

 of them, especially the beech and the maple, will scarcely grow to 

 advantage. In other kinds, as the chestnut, oaks, ashes, poplars, 

 willows, linden, etc., the second growth under favorable conditions 

 is very good. As a rule, the growth is best when the cutting is 

 nearly or quite level with the ground, for then the sprouts are able 

 to get independent roots. 



370. If, however, a second growth had already been obtained, it 

 would be better to cut a little higher, and in the new wood, where 

 the growth would be more likely to succeed than under the hardened 

 bark of the old wood. 



371. To insure success by this method, the timber must be cut a 

 little before the season when growth begins. In a climate so varied as 

 we find in the United States, it would be quite impossible to fix this 

 time by a general rule, and even in a given locality it might vary 

 in diifereut years. In the Northern States, the latter part of win- 

 ter would be best ; but in intensely cold and dry weather the frost 

 might so injure and loosen the bark that it would separate from the 

 wood, and the vitality of the stump would be weakened or de- 

 troyed. 



372. In some species, the flow of sap will tend to injury if the 

 cutting is done too near the time when it begins to start. It is de- 

 sirable to have the full effect of the first impulse of growth, and if 

 the cutting be delayed until after this has advanced the sprouts be- 

 come weak. 



373. In mild climates, where we have no fear of heavy winter 

 frosts, the cutting may be done at any time after the fall of the 

 leaves, or in the broad-leaved evergreens, as soon as the movement 

 of the second sap has ceased. 



374. If cut in midsummer or early autumn, after the growth of 

 wood for the year has formed, no sprouts will form, or they will be 

 feeble and transient. 



375. It is further to be observed, that as the sprouts from a stump 

 start from along the line of junction between the wood and the bark, 

 care should be taken not to wound or tear cff" the bark wheii cut. 

 It is an excellent plan to go over the stumps with a sharp adze, 

 and carefully trim the edges, always cutting towards the center, so 



