40 



AMERICAN MUSEUM (HIDE LEAFLETS 



FIG. 34. PREVENTABLE WASTE 



Fire lessens the productive capacity of soil and may sel back young growth for 

 a century or more 



2. At the same tine thin the forest to let in lighl and air (Fig. SI); 



leave the most promising trees (some lor seed trees); cut out undesirable 

 species, old trees no 1 mger growing, spreading trees that overtop others of 

 value, and perhaps, trees that grow slowly or that never attain large size. 

 Thin only to such an extent that the crowns of the remaining tree- will meet 

 in three or four years; if greater thinning is resorted to, reforest in the 

 open spaces, if only to prevent growth of grass and shrubs anil drying out 

 of the humus. 



'4. ('ut all Mump-, obliquely to shed rain, also as low a- possible (Figs. 

 32 and '■'■>). These precaution- will do much toward ridding the forest of 

 breeding places for insects. See p. 63 in regard to sprout growth from 

 stumps. 



4. [n cutting and removing trees avoid injury to the seedlings and young 

 tree-. This is one of the most difficult and imperative of fore-try law-. 



.">. Protect from grazing ami from fire (Figs. 34 o 37). 



If used for grazing, a wood lot rapidly decreases in reproductive power, 

 for cattle or sheep are certain to destroy the seeds and seedlings of the 

 ground as well a- the trees of a few year.-' growth. If the woodland occupies 

 a hillside, animal- do much injury by loosening the herbage that hold- the 

 -oil in place. 



Forest fires have increased in frequency and destructiveness till they 



