314 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 



maturity (by way of thinnings) is not included in the volume given by 

 the formula. 



Whilst one normal growing stock is removed, in the course of a rota- 

 tion, another normal growing stock — its exact counterpart — is raised on 

 the very same area. 



If the original growing stock is abnormally deficient, the foresters, 

 by cutting less than the increment of the forest and thus adding to the 

 original volume, may succeed in gradually establishing the " normal grow- 

 ing stock." 



Normality of the growing stock is that condition required in an " ideal 

 forest," which the foresters would find it rather easy to provide. In the 

 virgin woods, frequently the actual growing stock is larger than the normal 

 growing stock, owing to the preponderance of mature and hypermature 

 age classes. 



Normal Increment 



The normal wood at the age of maturity has imbedded in itself the 

 increments of a wood, one, two, three, etc., years old; consequently, it 

 represents all of the increments taking place annually over the entire area 

 of a normal forest containing the age classes, one, two, three, etc. Since 

 only a few trees, however, reach maturity a rule fails to be entirely correct 

 which reads : ' The normal increment of a forest equals the normal volume 

 of its oldest age class." 



Generally speaking, since the same causes must have the same effect, 

 the actual increment, in tons of wood fibre, normally formed on an acre 

 of ground, fully stocked, depends solely on climate and soil, wood fibre 

 being " solidified atmosphere." The forester's aim should be to concen- 

 trate the increment into the smallest number of trees, without losing any 

 increment, so as to grow the biggest logs in the shortest rotation. 



In America, soil is cheap; hence there seems to be no need to force 

 every square inch of soil into the harness of tree production. We should 

 keep in mind, however, — 



1. That woods poorly stocked are apt to yield knotty timber; 



2. That the outlay for taxes, protection and administration depends 



more on area than on density of stand ; 



