26 BULLETIN 234, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
OBJECTS OF MASKING. 
The main object of cutting done on the Deerlodge Forest will be to secure the 
greatest possible increase of increment for the Forest, as a whole, but not necessarily 
for each particular acre cut over considered by itself. 
The overmature stands will be cut with the intention of removing the old timber 
now at a standstill and securing a stand of rapidly growing reproduction in its place. 
Mature stands will be cut with the object of removing the larger trees now ripe in 
size for cutting and retaining the smaller trees so situated that many of them will 
grow to a diameter of over 9 inches within the next 20 to 50 years. Reproduction is not 
aimed at, although the manner of cutting will secure it in many openings and will 
hasten its growth in the many places where it already occurs. 
Young stands will be handled by improvement thinnings, strictly with the idea of 
saving the most promising trees and giving them sufficient room to grow rapidly in 
the future to good size. 
CLASSIFICATION OF EXPOSURES. 
The following classification is made as a guide to the men doing the marking, with 
the object of adjusting the severity of the cutting, in the mature stands particularly, 
to the purpose of securing safety from windfall. 
The prevailing wind direction is southwest for the Forest as a vhole. although it 
maybe modified locally by topography. 
Especially moist and especially shallow soils increase the danger of windfall and 
should therefore be given consideration in classifying various areas as to exposure. 
The presence of former windfalls should also be considered. 
Safe exposures: 
In this classification are included the bottoms of gulches, as a rule, except 
where they lie parallel to the course of the prevailing wind for a considerable 
distance. Slopes to the north and east, or in any direction where short or unim- 
portant and well protected by considerably higher ground not far to windward. 
Examples of such areas are the bottoms of the gulches and the slopes on the 
Divide Creek sale area. 
MeMu m exposures: 
This includes the larger flat areas, gentle, lower slopes to the south and west, 
and the minor ridge tops where protected by high hills or mountains not far to 
windward. Examples are the fiats and gentle slopes to the west below the main 
flume at French Gulch, the minor ridge tops on Divide Creek, and the higher 
portion of the Dry Gulch sale area. 
Great exposures: 
The crests of exposed ridges and exposed slopes to south and west not protected 
by marked topography. Such areas would include the south and west face of 
.Slide Rock Mountain and the ridge between Julius and Vanetti Gulches on the 
French Gulch sale area. 
METHODS OF HARKING. 
1. Overmature — Clean cutting: 
Cut all timber merchantable under the terms of the contract excepting that 
under 7 inches diameter breast high. 
Leave groups of smaller size trees and young growth as carefully preserved as 
possible. 
Leave none of the larger trees as a protection against windfall. 
The trees left, together ^vith the seed already in the soil and in the cones of 
trees cut, will provide for reproduction. 
