102 STATE OP MICHIGAN. 



nins's and the taking out of the largest and best as soon as these reach 

 such size that they have a market value, but in this connection it should 

 be remembered that it is with trees and other |)lants as with animals, 

 that some individuals are robust and vigorous hj nature, while others 

 naturally an- weak and have a tendency to succumb to unfavorable 

 ( xternal conditions of all sorts, and so, if the practice of removing the 

 best individuals in the thinnings is resorted to the final cut will be 

 somewhat dclnycd and its quality will be more or less inferior to what 

 it would have been if the best instead of the poorer and slower growing 

 individuals had been favored and allowed to form the final crop. 



The final point in the consideration of securing quick and suflflcient 

 returns from forest plantations is also one of the most important. It is 

 pud in;/ iiitirkct. In a state where there are so many industries which 

 dejjend upon a supply of various grades of lumber for their existence, 

 it is surprising that there has not already been a greater development 

 of markets, but the great quantity of timber which has been produced 

 incidental to the clearing of our lands for agricultural purposes has, 

 in liirgt' measure, prevented this, but as this vast natural supply is 

 more and more depleted the competition of various industries will 

 inevitably bring about a change in this respect and markets will be 

 develo]>ed in wliiih all forms of forest product will find ready sale, and 

 even at present it is possible to find a market for most kinds of timber, 

 if any quantity is offered for sale by making inquiries at the lai'ger 

 centers of distribution. Upon the successful marketing of the crop 

 will depend the amount of income from the investment, hence the im- 

 portance of finding the best possible buyer. 



To summarize tlieni, the following are the methods which are recom- 

 mended for securing quick returns from forest plantations: 



1. I'lant rai)id growing species which can be sold when of small 

 size. 



-. I'lant kinds which produce largest amounts of wood for fire wood 

 production. 



;'.. I'lant upon the best available soil. 



4. Take care of the plantation and by cultivation and thinnings pre- 

 vent stunting and cessation of growth. 



5. In exceptional cases wide planting of rather large trees may be 

 undertaken, these to be cultivated and pruned to hasten the develop- 

 ment. 



(i. For all kinds of forest crop find the best ])0ssihle market. 



