THE CULTIVATION OF HARDWOODS. 153 



only one conclusion to be arrived at if the two objects of 

 mixtures be considered conjointly, and that is, that for the 

 proper cultivation of the most valuable hardwoods a mixture 

 with shade-bearers is absolutely necessary. 



Individual Trees. 



Oak. — In speaking of mixtures, a good deal has been said 

 regarding oak, indicating at least its characteristics, but as it is 

 considered the premier tree among our hardwoods, a little 

 repetition may be pardoned. 



It stands high in its demands on the locality, requiring for 

 its proper development a soil of good quality and depth. It is 

 decidedly a light-demanding tree, being even sensitive to side 

 shade, and after early life is about the worst soil-preserver of 

 all trees. When young, that is until it has passed the pole 

 stage, it will protect the soil to some extent, but afterwards 

 it opens up very rapidly, and the light penetrating the open 

 canopy encourages an undergrowth of grass and other weeds 

 which utilise the humus on the surface of the ground, thus 

 depriving the trees of much nutriment. As the wood gets 

 older, there is added to this the worse evil of the loss of humus 

 through the wind blowing the leaves either out of the wood 

 altogether or into ditches, hollows, or depressions, thus robbing 

 some parts, if not the whole wood, of its natural fertiliser. The 

 leaves of oak are slow in decomposing, and are thus very 

 subject to being blown away, so much so that the leaves 

 of the previous year may be found blowing about in late spring. 

 To cultivate oak on a successful basis, means must be taken to 

 counteract these tendencies, or the certain result will be 

 deterioration of the soil, and consequent loss of annual 

 increment, and this can only be averted by mixing it with 

 another species which will supply the necessary density and 

 protection to counterbalance the deficiencies enumerated. Beech 

 is the tree which, by all authorities, is considered the most 

 suitable for this purpose. 



Beech. — Like oak, beech requires a soil of good qualitv, 

 although it is not so exacting as to depth. It is decidedly a 

 shade-bearing tree, having a dense crown which at all stages 

 of life forms a canopy sufficiently dense to keep down any 

 undergrowth which would be detrimental to the soil. It also 



VOL, XXI, PART II. L 



