THE CULTIVATION OF HARDWOODS. 47 



overlapping to some extent, but in a general way the one class 

 is quite distinct from the other, and it would surely be more 

 reasonable to follow nature, than to work at cross purposes with 

 her. Indeed, almost everything seems to be in favour of the former 

 course; the management is simpler, the fertility of the soil is 

 better preserved, and the financial results are more satisfactory. 

 The chief difficulty would lie in the formation of the woods, and 

 especially so where there is a variable soil, which is not uncom- 

 mon in many localities. In such cases, a considerable amount 

 of care and skill would be required to ensure the whole ground 

 being stocked with trees suited to the various soils. If this were 

 not secured, the growing of hardwoods by themselves might 

 prove to be no more satisfactory than the mixture system. In 

 this, as in all things, the ^forester, if he wishes success, must 

 study nature and be guided by her. Indeed, at all times he 

 should follow in the steps of nature, and assist her where 

 necessary, but on no account should he attempt to drive her 

 into paths of his own making. 



Before concluding, it is worth while looking at some of the 

 causes that have brought about the adoption of the system of 

 planting hardwoods and conifers in mixtures, how these causes 

 have taken effect, and how best they may be counteracted in the 

 future, if already they have not been counteracted to some 

 extent at least. If the want of means for acquiring a proper 

 knowledge of the elementary principles of silviculture be 

 considered one of the causes, then it may be said that this 

 difficulty has already been removed, for the means available 

 at the present time are so ample, that there is no reason 

 for anyone being in ignorance of these principles, and any 

 man who remains ignorant of them has only himself to 

 blame ; because, within the last twenty years, many thoroughly 

 sound, practical, and scientific books have been put into 

 circulation, and other facilities are now within the reach 

 of all. 



The very great success of the larch, on its introduction into 

 this country, combined with its high quality as a valuable timber- 

 producing tree, resulted in a craze for planting larch anywhere 

 and everywhere ; this probably was the chief cause for the 

 initiation of the mixture system. Experience of the ravages of 

 the larch disease may be said to have counteracted this practice, 

 to some extent, as it is now well known, and generally admitted, 



