MANAGEMENT OF SECOND GROWTH IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS. 



INTKODUCTION. 



Of the total wooded area of the Southern Appalachians from 80 to 

 85 per cent is second growth. Each year the supply of virgin timber 

 grows less, and the many w^ood-using industries must depiend upon 

 this second grow^th for their future supplies. Its perpetuation is 

 therefore one of the most vital problems of the region. Yet there is 

 but little doubt that unless improvements are made in the present 

 methods of handling these second-groAvth lands the future yield from 

 them will be both small in quantity and poor in quality. 



The changes most needed are, first, a closer economy in the use of 

 the forest; second, better adaptation of the species and sizes to spe- 

 cific uses, more careful methods of logging, and longer intervals^be- 

 tween cutting ; and third, adequate protection of the forest. A large 

 portion of this second growth consists of even-aged stands, the result 

 of clear cutting either for charcoal, or, more recently, for ties and 

 mine timbers. The suggestions for management contained in this 

 circular are intended to apply specifically to such even-aged stands. 



ECONOMY IN UTILIZATION. 



The heavy dram now made upon the forest hj the different indus- 

 tries of the region could be much reduced, without diminishing the 

 supply, by adopting more economical methods in the utilization of 

 the individual trees. The chief use of second gro^vtll is for cross- 

 ties and mine timbers, and economy in management must be brought 

 about chiefly with these products. Of the tw^o, ties are the more 

 important. 



REDUCTION OF WASTE IN HEWING TIES. 



Tables 1 and 2 give a clear idea of the wastefulness of the present 

 methods of tie production. Out of every 100 trees cut for ties over 

 63 are taken to a top diameter of from 10 to 13 inches instead of 9 

 or 9J inches, the smallest diameter from which a 6 by 8 inch tie can be 



[Cir. 118.] 



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