TIMBER GROWING AND LOGGING PRACTICE 25 
economic conditions make it feasible, further steps can well be taken 
toward obtaining full timber crops in the sense of maximum volume 
production of timber; and some discrimination can also be exercised 
as to the kind and quality of timber to be produced. 
PRIVATE MEASURES 
METHOD OF CUTTING THE TIMBER 
GENERAL PRINCIPLES 
There have been no thorough investigations in this region to deter- 
mine the best methods to follow in cutting timber — best in the sense 
of producing and harvesting timber continuously as a crop. There 
is accordingly no claim of finality for the methods suggested here. 
These methods are based upon opinions of men familiar with the 
region and upon observations of woods which have been cut; in time 
they will doubtless need considerable modification. It seems abun- 
dantly evident, however, that in most instances a system of cutting 
which removes only a relatively small number of the trees in any one 
logging operation offers the best assurance of a continuous growth of 
timber trees on the area, the least deterioration of the soil factors 
that influence growth, the least damage from forest fires, the possi- 
bility of coming back to the same area at relatively frequent intervals 
for more timber, and the possibility of gradually increasing in the 
stand the proportion of more valuable species. 
Mixed stands of hardwoods lend themselves naturally to this type 
of cutting. Some species such as cottonwood, yellow poplar, and 
red gum grow faster than others and reach marketable sizes sooner. 
Others are in demand in smaller sizes, such as ash and hickory for 
handles, locust, red cedar, and mulberry for posts, and the oaks for 
mine props. The current market values of timber may make it 
advantageous to defer cutting of certain species even when they have 
reached merchantable size. The problem is so complex that only 
general principles can be stated; specific rules to cover eA^ery con- 
dition found in the woods can not be formulated. 
In principle, the larger mature trees should be removed as they 
reach merchantable size. The young trees which are healthy and 
well-formed should be left to grow larger and proportionately more 
valuable and to be cut later. The less valuable trees should be cut 
the most heavily and down to small sizes, in order to eliminate them 
gradually and give place to better trees. Judgment must be used 
in leaving trees, however. It is not good practice in logging a heavy 
stand to cut out all the large trees and leave scattered over each 
acre as few as 25 or 30 tall 2 slim, small-topped poles. These will 
invariably be broken off or thrown over by storms. Either they 
should be cut or, if left uncut, enough of the larger trees should 
be left with them to give solidity to the stand and prevent wind 
throw. If, however, these tall slim poles occur in bunches or patches 
of one-fourth acre or more, they will not be in great danger of being 
uprooted. 
Often patches of vigorous, slender poles entirely surround one or 
more larger trees that ordinarily would be taken in logging. If the 
tops of the larger trees are well above those of the poles and will not 
