222 ON THE KEPLANTING OF WOODLANDS. 



to twenty years. Of course a considerable difference existed 

 between the class and nature of the soil, and to this difference I 

 attriljuted the fungoid attacks, which, if correct, clearly proves 

 that every kind of conifers do not succeed well after the same ; 

 and though some have stated they have larch growing well after 

 larch, it must be called exceptional; and such class of soil 

 should be carefully defined and periodically examined, not only 

 immediately after being cleared, but also annually after being re- 

 planted, for at least the first twenty years, with a view to 

 ascertain at what period the beetle and fungoids cease to act 

 upon the plants. It has recently been distinctly stated to a 

 company of arboriculturists, by one of the most experienced re- 

 planters of the present day, that he finds larch does not succeed 

 larch well. I might state in my experience, which is consider- 

 ably less than that of the person referred to, I never found it 

 growing anywhere equal to the first as a crop, though an ulti- 

 mate crop may succeed in battling against those injurious attacks. 

 In this plantation to which I have referred I found the beetle 

 and fungoids sometimes both at one place, at other times widely 

 separated. Hence, xmtil we can arrive at an approximate date, 

 at least, when natural reproduction takes place, and at what 

 period of time after the former crop has been cleared both the 

 beetle and fungoids are produced in different kinds of soil, we 

 cannot, in my opinion, positively state how long a time should 

 elapse before we attempt replanting land with the same kind of 

 plants, with the assurance tliat our efforts shall be crowned with 

 success. Some authors seem to hold the belief that this beetle 

 is propagated in the wasting branches of the former crop left 

 lying on the groimd ; but, though I have carefully examined 

 branches in all stages of decomposition, I never yet could get 

 any trace of it on any of a less diameter than 6 inches ; but, on 

 limbs or tops of trees having this or a greater diameter, as also 

 in old stocks in the ground, I have found not only the insect, 

 1 )ut the larva also, and the eggs only on wasting timber, whether 

 lying on or standing in the ground — including old gate and other 

 large posts. Thus the difficulty in escaping its attacks is con- 

 sequently very great, seeing in many plantations such nurseries 

 are very numerous. 



Possibly, with a view to satisfy the inexperienced arborist, 

 and to make the difficulty appear the more plain to all, I had 

 better introduce a few queries in connection therewith — these 

 embracing any question of importance that might naturally 

 arise, — and, by giving a plain and intelligible answer to each, 

 trnst it will be of more practical utility than by simply stating 

 my experience of the destructive habits of this forestal enemy. 

 For, while many authors studiously recommend the adoption of 

 certain practices or systems, few care to relate their failures ; 



