8 THE WOODLOT. 



than offset by the decay. For example, it was found from a large 

 number of measurements taken in a sprout forest in southern New 

 York that the average yield per acre in cubic feet was less in the 

 50-year old stands than in those 40 years old, and less in the GO-j^ear 

 old stands than in those 50 years old. To be sure, the sale value of 

 the larger and older stands was increasing, because the sound trees 

 were advancing to more saleable sizes, but the number of dying trees 

 was so great as to more than offset in actual cubic contents the annual 

 increment. When a sprout forest is allowed to grow older than 40 to 

 50 years, and is then cut, many of the old stumps are capable of send- 

 ing up only feeble shoots, and many do not sprout at all. For this 

 reason sprout woods under ordinary conditions become open and lose 

 in productiveness after a few cuttings. 



Sprouts from high and ragged stumps are generally defective, espe- 

 cially when they start from the sides of the stumps rather than close 

 to the ground. Side sprouts are apt to spread apart and grow crooked 

 to get clear of the old stumps; and being above ground, they have no 

 chance to establish root systems of their own. Again, sprouts are more 

 apt to be crooked than seedling trees because they grow in clumps, 

 and have to crook in order to find room for their crowns. This evil 

 can be avoided by early thinnings. 



In a great many places the present poor condition of the woods is 

 due not so much to injudicious cutting and neglect as to damage by 

 fires. Woodlots which do not show some traces of fire are scarce. 

 Trees are quickh^ infected with rot after severe burning, if they are 

 not killed outright. In every case 3^oung growth, which would other- 

 wise help shade the ground and perhaps form the basis of a succeeding 

 crop, is destroyed. The burning of the leaf mold is also an injur}^, 

 because the soil is then apt to dry out, and this affects the growth of 

 the trees; or the soil hardens and retards reproduction. Moreover, the 

 thinning of the stand through fires encourages the growth of weeds, 

 shrubs, and grass, all of which hinder the development of young trees 

 and in some cases exhaust the soil. 



Grazing in woodlots is also injurious, because cattle and sheep 

 browse on young hardwoods and prevent them from developing and 

 filling the gaps made by cutting or other causes. 



As the result, therefore, of the ordinar}^ way of cutting, of forest 

 fires, and of grazing, the woodlands of southern New England are not 

 producing as much wood and timber each year, or as good, as they 

 might under proper treatment. The productiveness of the average 

 woodlot is impaired every time it is cut. Its sale value may increase 

 on account of better roads and better market, but its intrinsic value 

 will continue to decline until it is given the care demanded b}^ every 

 growing crop. Such care is within the reach of nearh^ all woodlot 

 owners. 



