ON ESTABLISHING AN EXPERIMENTAL FOREST AREA. 169 
practically normal. In practical forestry, an uninterrupted grada- 
tion of age classes in a continuous line does not exist ; soil situation 
and conformation of ground rendering absolute regularity an 
impossible feature. We need not concern ourselves greatly, there- 
fore, as to the precise order in which the various bare portions of 
ground are planted up, as by planting 40 acres or so of these parts 
annually, the whole of the ground may be completely stocked in 
about fifteen years. If we allow for re-planting and under-planting 
10 acres of cleared and thinned ground, we have a total of 50 acres 
to plant annually. 
With regard to felling, much must be regulated by the age of 
the standing timber; but to complete the idea so far kept in mind, 
let us assume that the average age is about forty years, and that a 
certain proportion is already ripe enough to cut, we may allow for 
the clear-felling of 5 acres annually, at which rate the whole of the 
original stock would be cleared off in fifty years. But in order to 
make the most of this stock, a system of selection felling might 
also be introduced throughout the whole of the standing wood, and 
all ripe, sickly, and dead trees taken out at regular intervals. It 
might also be advisable to clear small patches or clumps where 
such trees predominate, and re-plant with quickly maturing species, 
which may be again cut over with the surrounding wood at the 
proper time. In the same way thinly stocked ground could be 
under-planted on the same principle, and by such means we 
could increase the yield during the first temporary rotation, 
without complicating matters for the second or normal rotation 
later on. 
Until more than half the ground has been planted, it may be 
possible to let the bare ground for grazing purposes until required, 
as this would prove a source of income at a time when most 
needed. 
The above method is one which we consider applicable to most 
estate plantations, and, therefore, likely to suit those with which we 
may have to deal. 
Tue Best MeEAns oF ESTABLISHING A Forest AREA. 
In dealing with this part of the question, we may assume that 
the typical area we have described is the one to be acquired, as 
we shall thus be in a position to treat our various points in a 
more definite manner. 
