INAUGURAL LECTURE IN THE COURSE OF FORESTRY. 415 



which it is capable. Were it possible systematically to make ixse 

 of the process of natural regeneration, then the surface of the 

 ground underneath the gaps in the overhead foliage would 

 quickly be covered by a growth of shade-bearing trees, which 

 would not only preserve and shade the lower part of the boles of 

 the older ones, but would also ensure a stocking of young trees 

 being present when the last of the older generation were finally 

 removed. By this mode of procedure, one would find, instead of 

 a bare sux'face, whose restocking would be an expensive and 

 difiicult operation, a more or less complete stocking of young 

 trees, which, at the most, would require only a little artificial 

 assistance to make perfect. Thus the restocking would not only 

 be effected cheaply and well, but an immense advantage would 

 be gained in the amount of time saved. Although, under 

 specially favourable circumstances, a partial restocking by natural 

 means might be obtained, notwithstanding considerable abund- 

 ance of ground-game, still that uniform and perfect distribution 

 of the young plants which is of so much importance cannot be 

 looked for. 



Apart from the question of natui'al renewal of woodlands, we 

 all know what a hindrance ground-game interposes to their arti- 

 ficial renewal by planting. It is no uncommon experience for 

 the young trees with which the ground has been stocked at great 

 trouble and expense to be entirely destroyed, not once nor twice, 

 but many times ; and when this happens it is almost too much to 

 expect that the plantation will ever be a financial success. In a 

 few years material may be destroyed whose value is more than 

 that of the land, and as this must be added to capital a satisfac- 

 tory return can scarcely be looked for. Where measures for 

 preserving the young trees from the attacks of vermin are adopted, 

 the expense incurred falls also to be added to capital, thereby 

 reducing the rate of interest ultimately to be obtained. It need 

 excite no surprise, therefore, that landlords find forestry an un- 

 ]jrofitable depai'tment of rural economy, or that they confine their 

 sylvicultural operations within narrow limits. 



We have seen, in particular, how ground-game modifies systems 

 of forestry, but considerations of game, in general, are accountable 

 for still more. These frequently regulate more or less the shape, 

 situation, and composition of plantations, as well as their general 

 management. In order to afford shelter for game excessive thin- 

 ning is frequently resorted to, so that the trees may be induced to 



