6 LEAFLET 15 3, U. S. DEPAETMEUT OE AGBICULTUEE 
IIGROWTH 3 TIMES FASTER AFTER TH INNI TO 
Trees in overcrowded stands grow slowly. Thinning them out pays 
in the same manner as does thinning out cotton or corn. The cross- 
section photograph shows a crowded pine tree that grew only Scinches 
in diameter in 29 years. But after the stand was thinned its growth 
stepped up to an increase of 6)2 inches in diameter in only 15 years. 
However, the wood volume produced was three times greater than before. 
This pine stand has been repeatedly cut lightly for timber for sale 
or home use. A full stand of young trees is now growing, indicating 
good management. The high-grade saw-timber trees may be cut 
very profitably. Timber is a perpetually renewable crop. 
