FORESTS 



FORESTS 



339 



Kg. 483. The use of big wheels in haivesting of southern hard-woods. 

 The common method of bringing in large white oak, gum and 

 other hard-woods in the tide-water region of Virginia. 



their best. This is particularly true of white pine, 

 for which there is always a demand. This species 

 makes its best growth 

 from the thirtieth to the 

 eightieth year, but good 

 profit on clear Stuff in 

 the future is often sacri- 

 ficed for box material at 

 present. Species that are 

 prone to decay while 

 standing should be cut 

 when in full vigor. The 

 owner of small pieces of 

 timber will adapt such 

 appliances as best suit 

 his needs, and choose 

 such time or season for 

 harvest as will most eco- 

 nomically meet his de- 

 mands. 



Harvesting the woodht. 



Much of what has 

 been said applies to the farm woodlot. A few facts 

 of special significance to the woodlot, however, 

 should be pointed out. The farmer very frequently 

 finds himself with a poor, thin wood 

 crop. The best species have been 

 removed, and the crooked and im- 

 perfect trees have been left; and 

 this, too, without any justification. 

 The main demand on the woodlot is 

 for firewood, posts and poles, and, 

 occasionally, a little dimension stuff. 

 This can all be had to the improve- 

 ment of the woodlot, when the har- 

 vesting is done judiciously. The 

 point to keep in mind in handling 

 the farm woodlot is to perpetuate 

 it and make it a constant source of 

 income. The method of harvesting 

 will finally be determined by the 

 purpose for which the product is 

 desired. 



Fig. 484. Pine logs ready for the road. Northern Michigan, 



Clean cutting is admissable only when 

 there are a number of mature, valuable 

 trees, with little or no undergrowth, and 

 when the protection afforded by the woods 

 is not important. If the area is to be con- 

 tinued as a woodland, then replanting by 

 seed or seedlings is resorted to. 



Under other conditions, selection cutting 

 should be employed. For firewood, posts, 

 poles and similar requirements, the dead or 

 dying, slower-growing, undesirable species 

 and forest weeds should be removed. For 

 dimension stuff, only the mature trees should 

 be taken. Care must be exercised in the 

 selection of the cutting, in order that the 

 conditions for the best growth of the remain- 

 ing trees and the re-occupancy of the opened 

 spaces may be promoted. It is important 

 that the open spaces be filled either by nat- 

 ural growth or by planted seedlings. Judg- 

 ment is required in the felling of the trees 

 to avoid damage to the surrounding trees and to 

 the undergrowth. The logs must be snaked out 

 where they will least 

 harm the seedlings. 



When considerable di- 

 mension stuff is removed, 

 a portable sawmill may 

 be employed and placed 

 in or near the woodlot. 

 Frequently the logs are 

 sledded to the local saw- 

 mill. 



In colder regions the 

 time for this work will 

 be in winter when other 

 farm work is not so pres- 

 sing and when the logs 

 and lumber can be moved 

 on sleighs. Whether in 

 summer or winter, a pair 

 of skidding tongs will 

 be found useful for 

 rolling up logs, where 

 they can be handled with a chain or for dragging 

 them out of inconvenient places. A cant-hook is a 

 convenience that one can not afford to be without. 



Fig. 48S. Car of white pine. 



(Grayling, Michigan. 



