48 NATURAL REPRODUCTION OF FORESTS. 
it is able to withstand the sea breezes better than any other 
deciduous tree, and its hardihood enables it to grow to maturity 
upon hot barren soils where other hardwood trees would languish 
and die. Its seeds will germinate in the poorest soils, and I have 
frequently observed them springing up freely in woods which 
were under the influence of the sea breeze, even in exposed places 
where other vegetation seemed nearly extinct. 
Both the Spanish chestnut and the horse-chestnut are good 
trees for reproducing forests, as they seed freely at an early age. 
They prefer to grow in a deep sandy loam. The horse-chestnut 
is better adapted for ornament than for purposes of profit. Its bril- 
lant spikes of flowers, of various hues, present an attractive feature 
in the park or forest in early summer. 
The alder is a tree which grows rapidly in cold and wet soils 
unsuited to most other trees, while it produces useful timber and 
seeds freely at an early age. 
I have simply attempted to describe a few of the primary 
details and features connected with the operation of the reproduc- 
tion of woods. But were it necessary to conduct by artificial 
means the afforesting of extensive tracts of moorland or rough 
waste lands, the operations here described would be both tedious 
and expensive. In that case recourse must be had to other means 
to diminish expense and economise time, by introducing other 
implements than the spade, such as ploughs and grubbers, with 
horses, oxen, or steam as the motive power. 
In concluding this paper the writer may state that he has 
endeavoured to select and lay before his readers suitable illustra- 
tions 1n connection with this important subject as far as his 
limited experience and ability permitted, But the incidents and 
features are so numerous and different, that volumes instead of 
pages might be filled without exhausting the subject. Let it be 
understood that the writer has by no means given his suggestions 
and observations with the intention of teaching others, but simply 
in order that thereby an interchange of thoughts and observations 
may be promoted, There is no department of natural science 
which affords such an abundance of pleasing investigation as 
that contained in the vegetable kingdom. It invites the attention 
of every intelligent mind, with a feast of gratified reward for 
diligent research. 
