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DENSITY OF GROWTH. 25 
The cutting of timber in the valley type of forest has been much 
less pronounced than in the pine type. Considerable cutting has 
taken place, it is true, and many a magnificent cottonwood on the 
Platte and the Arkansas disappeared with the advent of the railroads, 
while a clean sweep was often made where red cedar existed; but the 
total number of trees to-day is probably much greater than when the 
white man first came, though the average size of the trees is smaller 
and their average age less. This points directly to the possibilities 
of natural extension where fires and grazing are controlled. 
Commercial returns are secured only from posts, poles, and _ fire- 
wood. Very lttle timber is cut for sale, however, and the man who 
has timber on his place is benefited chiefly by the uses which he makes 
of it for domestic purposes and the protection afforded to stock and 
buildings. This is no small consideration in a region where lumber 
and posts are high-priced and coal expensive. With the exception 
of the ash, the more valuable species have a restricted range, but in 
the lack of something better wood of any kind is gladly used. 
DENSITY OF GROWTH. 
Measurements were made in various localities to determine the 
density of typical areas of forest growth, the trees on a sample acre 
beig counted and measured in each case. 
The figures obtained from five typical acres are given in Tables 
VII to XI. These illustrate well the better class of forest growth 
along the streams in western Kansas and Nebraska. It is not to be 
supposed that each stream contains timber throughout its entire length 
such as that found on the sample areas. These areas represent either 
the average or the best growth for the region. A short distance away 
on the same stream there may be no trees at all. 
TABLE VII.—T'rees on a sample acre on Elm Creek, at Medicine Lodge, Kans. 
Diameter breasthigh. 
Species. Treessn a $$. 
Minimum.) Maximum. 
Inches. Inches. 
MI GTGES) CUED 8 SS a a eee eRe | 43 | 6 19 
IEPA GROSMIAY . cotesc Seen Gee eee ee er aes er gS 5 | 4 6 
Radi mawlleity lsh OS See a eee ene ee | 4 | 5 8 
| =e | neeaved 
Ciley ren neem Te | Bou suet at Cae he eee 
These are average trees on a flat just south of Medicine Lodge. 
The land is pastured, and the forest is very open and_ scrubby. 
Despite the nearness to water, the trees do not average over 30 feet 
high and contain numerous dead branches. There is neither under- 
brush nor reproduction, and the ground is well grassed. This condi- 
tion is caused by constant grazing. 
