FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 225 



While authorities differ concerning the number of times a stand will 

 reproduce itself from the stump, it appears to be the unanimous opinion 

 that such a method, if long continued, produces wood of decidedly inferior 

 quality. 



This is tacitly admitted by those best acquainted with the condition 

 of the woodland in this region. Woodmen will say, " The chestnut around 

 here is a decidedly inferior tree. It is short lived and apt to die in the top, 

 dozey," etc. 



In addition, fires have been regarded as a necessary evil, if an evil at 

 all; and their effect, even if the stand is not killed, is most marked. One 

 striking instance of the effect of fire in checking growth was found. A 

 certain tract of timber is located on a hillside of fair soil quality, which a 

 wood dealer of the neighborhood said had been cut clear forty-five years 

 ago, and he estimated the present stand at twelve to fourteen cords per 

 acre. He stated that the tract had been burned over quite frequently 

 and that there had been a particularly bad fire seven years ago. 



On investigation the sprouts had a core of fair growth, but the last 

 six rings were so fine as to be scarcely discernible. 



As a result of repeated clear cuttings and fires the growing capacity 

 of the land has been seriously impaired. Would estimate the average mean 

 annual growth for the area at about one-half cord per acre per annum. 



There are within this area two examples of forestry methods in prac- 

 tice. The first is on the West Point Military Reservation, where for the 

 last six years under technical supervision a systematic system of thinning 

 has been carried on. The other is on the estate of E. H. Harriman, a small 

 portion of whose land lies within the boundary. In both cases, the aesthetic 

 idea is paramount, rather than that of raising timber for profit. 



The woods foreman in charge at West Point says his plan is to remove 

 the dead and suppressed trees and thus to improve the stand without any 

 especial effort to increase the desirable species. Trees with large crowns 

 are also left, as their appearance counterbalances the extra room they take 

 up. Areas along the road are left untouched as far as thinnings are con- 

 cerned. Cleanings, that is, the removal of scrubby undergrowth, are 

 resorted to. From now on they will remove a chestnut whenever another 



