The following five chapters have been written with the view of aiding
farmers who own small timber tracts or wood lots, or who wish to plant
some part of their land to forest. This country varies so greatly in
soil, climate, and flora that it is only possible, within the limits
assigned for the present discussion, to outline general principles
everywhere applicable. Nevertheless, wherever suggestions have
approximated the laying down of rules of practice, the writer has had
mainly in mind the conditions prevalent in our northeastern States.
Moreover, for the reason already referred to, limitation of space, it
has not been possible to give more than a comprehensive view, without
much detail.
The succeeding chapters should be read connectedly, as they are more
or less interdependent. The first treats of the behavior of a forest
plant; the second, of the principles which should guide the planter
in setting a crop; the third, of the manner in which a natural forest
crop should be produced; the fourth points out how the crop should be
managed afterwards in order to secure the best results in quantity
and quality of material; while the fifth chapter is devoted to a
consideration of the relation of forests to farms.