THE BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF FORESTRY. 213 



species of tree, then, we associate a certain complex of factors, 

 and this latter with a certain type of vegetation. Given a 

 plantable area do we not carefully analyse its soil, climatic and 

 biological factors, form a mental symbol representative of 

 these, and select for planting from among the available species 

 the one whose complex approximates most closely the factors 

 given? If this is done then only gross mismanagement prevents 

 success. This attitude is no new one, it is simply a restatement 

 of what is already well known and has been practised by 

 competent foresters for a long time. That continued reiteration 

 of this fundamental principle, however, is necessary will be at 

 once obvious to those under whose observation have come some 

 of our derelict plantations — a prey to a multitude of deadly 

 enemies, a blot on nature's handiwork, reflecting in their 

 morbid condition the gross incompetency of the individuals 

 responsible (well intentioned though they be) to have charge 

 of nature's offspring. 



Action in accordance with this finding does not prevent our 

 continued planting of exotic trees, some of which will rank 

 among our most remunerative forest crops. Some of the 

 conifers, members of the vast forest community of Pacific North 

 America, although prevented by geographical barriers from 

 invading our shores, have been successfully introduced by man 

 to a country whose climatic and soil conditions provide a habitat 

 similar to that of their native home. But conditions vary from 

 place to place, all do not provide the desiderata and so, instead 

 of planting experimental plots on different soils, why can we not 

 seek out the tree in its native home, study the complex required 

 for optimum development and act accordingly ? It would save 

 much did we but know the conditions under which Douglas fir 

 flourishes best in its native home, and did we but seek out here 

 those localities suitable to it and plant the species there and 

 there only. But the tree is plastic to a certain extent, the 

 complex may vary somewhat, and for this allowance must be 

 made under the new conditions. There is required then a more 

 intensive study of the requirements of trees, and to ensure success 

 we must be careful to see that we " plant the right tree in the 

 right place." In this lies the first insurance of successful 

 afforestation. 



While planting in the desired complex allows of optimum 

 development, the implication is not upheld that maximum 



