72 ELEMENTARY FORESTRY. 
advantage under the group, strip or other systems. Generally 
it will at first consist in removing the dead, rotten and mature 
trees and those of inferior species, and so give better oppor- 
tunity for the more valuable kinds. This is a matter that calls 
for much good judgment. Care should be exercised not to 
make openings so large but what they will shortly be occupied 
by seedlings of valuable trees. Where large openings are made 
they are apt to become covered with grass, which is a great 
detriment to any forest growth and always indicates that the 
cutting has been done too rapidly for best results. 
The Ax and Saw, then, as will be seen from the foregoing 
paragraphs, furnish the most important means when used 
judiciously in securing the best growth of timber in forests of 
this section and the proper succession of growth on forest land. 
The Farm Woodlot is a customary feature on many farms 
in the northeastern states. As a rule it occupies land that is of 
very little value for any other purpose. It is generally not man- 
aged at all, but left to look after itself, and often it is pastured. 
It is expected to furnish firewood, posts and poles and an occa- 
sional stick of dimension stuff. Too often the best is cut and the 
poorest left to grow. Under such rough treatment the woodlot 
becomes stocked with an inferior growth that is of little value ~ 
except for firewood, and it does not produce as much of that as 
it might under a different system of management. 
Improving the Woodlot. The general rules laid down for 
the management of forests will apply here. The cattle should 
be kept out, so as to give the young seedlings a chance to grow. 
Improvement cuttings should be introduced with a view of get- 
ting rid of the crooked and mature trees and those of inferior 
species and of encouraging a growth of young seedlings of val- 
uable kinds, 
