A FOREST WORKING PLAN. 423 



the decision that, taking everything into consideration, twelve inches, breasthigh 

 is the proper limit. This will give a large enough cut on all, the townships so 

 that there will be a safe margin of profit in the logging operations and at the 

 same time plenty of seed trees will be left and the period of waiting for a second 

 crop will not be too long. 



Balsam is relatively less important than spruce, and the question of future 

 yield is not so vital. The point to be decided is, rather, what diameter limit will 

 give that percentage of balsam in the total cut which is commonly allowed in 

 logging contracts. 



Fifteen per cent has been the common rule, but with the decrease in the 

 supply of spruce, balsam is bound to be more eagerly sought as a substitute. 

 Cutting to a diameter of ten inches will give a percentage of twenty-two per 

 cent on Townships 5 and 6, and fifteen per cent of the spruce on Township 41. 

 Hence, ten inches seems to be the ideal cutting limit for balsam. 



'The white pine on Townships 5, 6, and 41 is comparatively scarce, but is of 

 large size and good quality. By cutting to a diameter limit of fourteen inches 

 many seed trees will be left, but all the mature trees removed. This will give the 

 following proportion of pine, compared with spruce, on the townships: Town- 

 ship 5, one and one half per cent; Township 6, two per cent; Township 41, four 

 and one half per cent. 



It should be distinctly understood that the diameter limits are not arbitrary 

 figures, but are merely intended as a guide for the man who marks the timber. 

 For example, where the stand is thin it will be advisable to leave trees over the 

 diameter limit in order to provide seed, and in too dense stands smaller trees 

 should be marked. In general, the amount cut on one side of the limit will 

 equalize that left uncut on the other side. - 



Remaining Species. 



Whether or not the remaining species of commercially important trees on the 

 block should be logged in connection with those recommended to be cut, depends 

 very much on the manner in which the block is to be managed. 



It is recognized that great benefit would result to the young trees of the 

 more valuable kinds if the larger hardwoods were to be removed, and that, if 

 this were done, the general productive condition of the forest would be bettered. 

 But, on the other hand, it would not be expedient as a business proposition to 

 recommend the logging of these species, unless conditions were more favorable 

 than they are at present. 



