COTTONWOOD IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 37 
is, however, a very common method of clearing bottom lands in 
the Mississippi Valley for agricultural purposes. -On areas subject 
to overflow cottonwood reproduction is almost certain to follow if 
seed trees are present. All said, however, deadening is probably 
preferable to leaving the inferior species where the owner is pre- 
pared to make an actual investment for the sake of insuring future 
cottonwood stands. Only the largest trees, such as could not readily 
be felled with several strokes of the ax, should be girdled. The cost 
of deadening, as well as swamping, piling, and burning of the 
smaller growth, can usually be kept within $2.50 per acre. On 
many areas from $1 to $2 would put the ground in good condition 
for cottonwood seeding. Where the cost exceeds $3 deadening will 
probably, as a rule, be considered inexpedient. 
In this connection the question of brush disposal should also be 
considered. There seems to be no possibility at present of utilizing 
cottonwood tops in any practical manner. They make very little 
brush and decay quickly, even though left unlopped. Moreover, 
they may be carried away by high water. There will be little to 
gain, therefore, in burning the brush, either for the sake of fire 
protection or the encouragement of reprcduction. However, where 
much undergrowth and small, inferior trees must be swamped 
out, it may often be advisable to pile such material with the tops 
and burn it when partly dry. In thick cane or grass, tops and other 
brush will burn, even if left scattered. If the ground is to be 
dragged to expose the mineral soil, piling would be advantageous. 
COTTONWOOD-WILLOW STANDS. 
Cottonwood and willow are usually associated only in compara- 
tively young stands. Either cottonwood is crowded out by the willow 
during the first 20 years or it overtops and kills out the willow. If 
any willow is left at the time of logging, it should certainly be 
removed, since it is distinctly inferior for lumber. If it can not 
be disposed of for pulp wood, charcoal, or woodenware, for which 
uses it is well suited and frequently in considerable demand, it 
should be cut or girdled. If cottonwood is cut for pulp in young 
mixed stands, the willow should also be taken, and any adjacent 
stands of pure willow removed at the same time. Young willow is 
generally in demand for. revetting the river banks and should be 
disposed of without difficulty. 
CLOSER UTILIZATION. 
Close utilization is the first step in the proper handling of cotton- 
wood stands.. Every tree that will make a merchantable log should 
be cut, stumps should be low. and the trees utilized as high as possible 
into the tops. High stumps are often left because the trees are cut at 
