520 



SIXTY- FOUR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. 



maturity, and when mature, so removing the mar- 

 ketable growth that when it is removed, a young 

 growth of the right composition and density will 

 start on the same ground. 



There is a spontaneous reforestation by nature 

 going on, and if fire and cattle are kept out and 

 man has not cleared too severely, nature will cover 

 the ground. 



To be sure, the cover may not be of a desirable 

 kind, and even if desirable species are found in the 

 young growth, to get the most useful material, man 

 must assist nature and help along these better kinds 

 in their struggles against others. 



The aspen and some of the birches produce plen- 

 tifully every year, and the seeds are winged and so 

 light that the winds carry them over large areas. 

 The wild cherry chooses the birds as means of 

 transportation and spreading. The acacias of 

 Australia have hard seeds that germinate but slowly 

 and lie in the ground for years. If, however, a fire 

 runs over and the rest of vegetation is destroyed, 

 then their time has come, and a dense growth of 

 acacias springs up. 



Cut down the poplar, or the ailanthus, or the 

 chestnut, and it will quickly send up shoots to re- 

 pair the damage and defend its position. The post 

 oak in the prairies relies upon its vigorous root to 

 withstand the recurring fires, every year sending 

 up a shoot to be cut off prematurely by fire or cat- 

 tle, but in the end by sheer persistency gaining the 

 ground. 



Important conditions which decide the ultimate 

 domination of this or the other tree or species are 

 the varying amounts of light which the different 

 species need or can be satisfied with, and their 

 rapidity of growth, which gives them a chance of 

 getting out of the shade. 



The art of the forester rests in securing repro- 

 duction as well as in fostering growth by timely 

 thinnings. To give advice as to how this must be 

 done requires an intimate knowledge of the life 

 history and behavior of each of the species that 

 compose a forest. We have in eastern forests 

 from 5 to 50 different species in combination, and 

 only a charlatan would give advice off-hand as to 

 how a wood lot should be managed. The forester, 

 like the pliysician, can p)'escribe only for giveti condi- 

 tions after diagnosis. Yet there are some principles 

 which underlie each operation which can be briefly 

 stated. 



If we compare trees grown in the open field in 

 the full enjoyment of light with those grown in the 

 dense forest, we perceive great differences. Other 

 conditions being the same, we will find that while 



the former have, during the same time, attained a 

 greater diameter and have more and stronger 

 branches, the latter excel in the length, straight- 

 ness and cylindrical form of their trunks and have 

 fewer branches, which die off before they are much 

 developed. 



The remedy against formation of strong branches 

 and the best means of getting rid of the smaller 

 branches without injury consists in growing trees 

 in close proximity in the forest. In this way the 

 sunliglit, necessary to the development of branches, 

 is cut off, and a clean shaft is the result. The 

 shade of the dense growth is also useful in protect- 

 ing the soil against the drying effects of the sun and 

 wind, for by the moisture of the soil is the tree fed. 

 Hence undergrowth is desirable if the crowns of the 

 trees do not shade the ground sufficiently, and cut- 

 ting it out is a mistaken operation. 



Grasses and weeds which cover the ground, if 

 there is light enough, are "curses" of the forest, for 

 this lower vegetation evaporates much more water 

 than tree growth, does not shade the soil efficiently, 

 and is a sign that the crown cover is not sufficient, 

 allowing too much sunlight and heat to reach the 

 soil and drying it out. 



Such grasses as Poa flexiiosa, Festuca nutans, 

 Cinni ariindinacea, the partridge berry, ground 

 hemlock and rhododendron are characteristic shade 

 plants, but when fireweed, rosinweed, sunflowers, 

 goldenrod and meadow grasses make their appear- 

 ance, it is a sure sign that thinning is overdone. 



The whole secret of forest management consists 

 in so balancing the light conditions that while the 

 soil is protected against drying, straight trunks are 

 formed without too much branching. 



If we succeed in meeting these demands in re- 

 gard to foliage and light, then we have established 

 desirable forest conditions. 



The axe is the instrument with which the forester 

 cultivates. If you have a wood-lot, one from which 

 the best timber has been culled, and without a 

 promising undergrowth, the first operation may be 

 to cut from a portion each year all the old and de- 

 fecti\e trees, leaving only a few of the most desir- 

 able to serve as seed trees. Then fence it securely 

 to keep out sheep, cattle and horses. When the 

 young growth is secured, then all the old trees must 

 soon be removed to give the young growth a chance 

 for development, light being the essential factor in 

 this. Should there be vacant places larger than 

 one or two square rods, it may be desirable to plant 

 them with whatever kinds are suitable. 



B. E. Fernow. 



[to be continued ] 



