FORESTATION PRACTICE IN NORWAY 99 



tions of Professor Kuntze, of Theraudt, in 50-year-old pine and 45- 

 year-old spruce stands show that close spacing of pine results in greater 

 timber production, while a more open spacing of spruce and fir gave 

 larger diameter and height growth of this species. For Norrland a 

 square spacing for pine of 1.5 to 1.7 m. and for spruce and fir of 1.7 

 to 2.0 m. is recommended. A square spacing of 2.0 m. is thought best 

 for "Northern pine (F. lapponica)."' Of course, it should be consid- 

 ered that the closer spacing may be the cheaper in the end, since less 

 replanting will be needed. 



In general, closer spacings are selected for: 



1. "Poor soil, in order to hasten the humus building through a heavy 

 leaf-fall." 



2. "Ground, where quick shade is necessary to kill off and hinder 

 the growth of luxuriant ground vegetation." 



3. Where one wishes to produce well-developed material clear of 

 branches. 



More open spacings are selected for: 



1. "More fertile ground." 



2. Ground where ground vegetation is not heavy. 



3. When well-developed, branch-free material is not necessary. 



4. Where one cannot afford the higher planting cost. 



Replanting 



Among the principal causes of loss of both planted and sown stock 

 in the field are trampling by cattle, drying out, frost action, insects 

 (c. g.j Agrostis segetum, Lyda crythrocephala, Hylobius abietis, in 

 southern Norrland), and the snow fungus Phacidium infestans. In a 

 stand from direct seeding there is ordinarily little need of replacement, 

 since the stand has purposely been sown rather dense. In plantations, 

 however, particularly in the more open spacings. careful attention must 

 be paid to the filling of blanks. 



The result of a direct sowing cannot be judged until the plants begin 

 their third year's growth, while the result of planting can be deter- 

 mined during the second summer after the work. The best time to fill 

 fail places, as well as the proper interval between examinations, are 

 both touched upon, and the writer closes with this statement : 



"It should always be remembered that a plantation which is denser 

 from the beginning, though a plant dies here and there, closes, as a 

 rule, to a splendid stand, without improvement, while spacing? open to 

 start with require replacement, even with relatively few accidents." 



