38 BULLETIN 1402, U. S. DEPARTMEKT OF AGEICXJLTURE 
In an investigation of the different donkey-logging methods which 
served to bring out what advantages there are in high-lead yarding, 
Berry (3) concluded that high lead means a small saving in cable 
cost, and that smaller engines can be used with high than with 
ground lead. There is a small advantage over ground lead on 
moderate uphill j)ulls, and probably a greater advantage on steep 
and rough ground, but little or no advantage, possibly a disadvan- 
tage, on downhill and sidehill logging. High lead simplifies the log- 
ging layout, and is popular with workmen because less effort is 
required. It has little or no operating advantage at the spar pole 
over the modified-lead method. 
It seems fair and conservative to say that the high-lead system 
as a logging method has shown no decided advantage over the ground 
lead. On the other hand, it is tremendously more destructive to the 
forest, and on a considerable part of each setting leaves the ground 
denuded. 
Even if high lead should prove to be slightly cheaper than ground 
lead, as broadcast burning is cheaper than partial slash disposal, 
the method is so definitely in the class of major destructive agencies 
as to be incompatible with forest production, and its use, except 
under very special conditions, should be discontinued. 
The new forest depends absolutely on the saving of young growth 
and seed trees; and any method of logging which leaves less than 
half of the young growth intact defeats the purpose of keeping the 
land productive. With any method except high lead or high speed, 
damage to young growth and seed trees can be so controlled, at slight 
extra logging cost, as to leave a reasonable start for a new forest. 
Fortunately the very destructive methods of yarding appear to have 
little, if any, operating advantage over the less damaging methods, 
except perhaps on very rough or steep ground, as in parts of the 
mixed conifer type. 
A further point to remember is that any kind of machine yard- 
ing, with the exception of caterpillars, is more destructive to advance 
reproduction and seed trees than animal yarding, and when used on 
ground suitable for the latter is rarely justifiable. 
INTENSITY OF CUTTING 
QUESTIONS INVOLVED 
In addition to fire and method of logging a third major factor 
which regulates the amount of new growth on cut-over forest lands 
is intensity of cutting. This is because systematic reservation of 
seed trees is necessary to provide restocking where advance repro- 
duction is absent or scanty in the virgin forest or where it is de- 
stroyed in the process of logging, as well as to insure cut-over lands 
against denudation from subsequent fires. 
On most cuttings, the advance growth left after logging is more 
or less scattered, utilizing only part of the productive power of 
the land. To complete stocking, seed trees are necessary. An addi- 
tional reason for leaving seed trees is the occasional fire on cut-over 
lands, which may occur even with systematic protection and which 
commonly destroys the young growth. If seed trees have been left, 
young growth will gradually come back after fire; if there are no 
