LOPPING OF TOPS IN NEHASANE PARK. 13 
In spite of the unsatisfactory work of the contractor in the respects 
discussed, the forest is in good condition from the forester’s point of 
view. Back from the main lumber roads this is especially true, and 
the object of forest management has been accomplished, for a large 
amount of small Spruce has been left to grow to large timber, and 
there are a sufficient number of seed trees well distributed over the 
area. By the system of inspection recommended in this report the 
excellent condition of the forest back from the roads should be repre- 
sented throughout the entire area lumbered during the second year’s 
work. 
LOPPING OF TOPS. 
In Nehasane Park the choppers were obliged in every case to lop 
the branches of the Spruce. The object was partly to lessen the 
danger from fire, and partly to facilitate hunting. Spruce tops absorb 
moisture very quickly if near the ground. If they are cut from the 
trees and strewn about the ground they decay in a short time and the 
danger from fire is much reduced, but if they are left propped above 
the ground by the branches they become exceedingly dry and increase 
the danger from fire. The owner wished to have the forest left in such a 
condition that in passing along the lumber roads and trails a hunter 
could have an unobstructed view through the woods. In these places, 
therefore, all the branches were cut, so that the stems came in con- 
tact with the ground. Within the forest, away from the trails, only 
the uppermost branches were cut. It was believed that this latter 
measure would be sufficient to prevent the danger from fire, but expe- 
rience has led the writer to the conviction that the precaution can do 
but little good unless the branches are cut on all sides of the tree. 
Lopping the top branches costs 14 cents per standard, and it is probable 
that the careful trimming of the branches all about the tree would cost 
fully 3 cents. There is a tendency on the part of the choppers to leave 
the work carelessly done, but 3 cents per standard should fully com- 
pensate for thorough work, and contractors ought to be held responsi- 
ble if the trees are not satisfactorily lopped. 
Where land yields on an average about 15 standards per acre thor- 
ough lopping would amount to 45 cents per acre. While there can be 
no doubt that lopping the tops materially lessens the danger from fire, 
the results obtained are not sufficient to justify the investment of this 
amount, especially when the land is carefully watched, as at Nehasane 
Park. The writer has theretore recommended for the second year 
that the branches be not lopped except for sporting purposes. 
EFFECT OF LUMBERING ON REPRODUCTION. 
_ Reference has been made to the unusual amount of seed produced in 
the fall of 1898. The effect of this, coupled with the judicious lumber- 
ing, has already become evident at the writing of this report. Small 
