RESULTS OF CUTTING IX THE SIERRA FORESTS. 3 
each seedling is mapped or marked with a numbered tag and wire 
pin. Annual examinations have been possible for only a few of the 
reproduction plots. 
The early methods of cutting represented by the sample plots in 
this study differ considerably from present methods. All of the 
earlier cuttings, including those on the plots, were light, leaving a 
volume of 10.000 to 20,000 board feet per acre, representing 30 to 60 
per cent of the original stand, and contemplated a second cut in 30 to 
60 years. This method was termed '* selection " cutting for lack of a 
better name. Yellow pine and sugar pine were strongly favored, 
with the hope that the percentage of these species would be increased 
in the next stand. In reality, many of these cuttings resembled 
somewhat the second stage of a shelterwood system. The virgin 
stands were characterized by even-aged groups of uniformly over- 
mature trees with advance reproduction in openings due to the action 
of fires and insects. They might be compared to the first stage of a 
shelterwood method after the cutting to secure reproduction had 
been completed. The original cutting done at the time of the sale 
was designed to release advance growth, secure further restocking, 
and enhance the rate of increment on reserved trees. The method 
differed from the true shelterwood system in that only two cuttings 
were contemplated and the final removal of the overwood was de- 
ferred for a long period. 
Since these early sales, when very light cutting was the practice, 
the tendency has swung to the opposite extreme, very heavy cutting. 
especially on poorer sites, leaving only thrifty seed trees for insur- 
ance against destruction of advance growth by fire. At present there 
seems to be a logical reversion to an intermediate course, in which a 
considerable nucleus of thrifty standards and sound, thrifty, mature 
trees are reserved, especially on the better sites, for increased volume 
and value increment in a second cut and to insure adequate seed. It 
seems likely, therefore, that future cuttings may not differ greatly 
from some of those on which this study is based. 
GROWTH OF REMAINING STAND. 
Considering first the rate of growth of reserved trees without 
regard to quality increment, there are several factors which have 
proved to be of prime importance. Of these, site will be consid- 
ered first. 
SITE. 
The importance of site as affecting method of cutting can not be 
overestimated. Criteria for site differentiations had not been devel- 
oped at the time of the earlier sales, and in consequence as heavy 
stands were sometimes reserved on poor as on good sites. The results 
of this study indicate that no method of cutting on Site III or poorer 
will result in a rate of growth which, in itself, will be sufficient to 
justify reserving a considerable volume of trees approaching ma- 
turity for increased wood production. 
This is to be demonstrated if some of the plots are arranged in 
order of site from the poorest to the best, using only trees between 
12 and 30 inches in diameter, which furnish most of the reserves. 
Yellow pine, because of its presence on all of the plots, is used as an 
