VISIT TO GERMAN FORESTS. 101 



rows I metre (3 ft. 3 ins.) apart, which averages 600 lbs. of seed 

 per acre. Beech is also added. The soil is first broken up 

 by means of a specially constructed disc plough, which rises 

 easily over strong roots and other solid obstructions. This 

 plough is followed by a suitably formed grubber which still 

 further stirs up the soil, and thus a good seed bed is formed. 

 To protect the oak fairly tall birches are planted between the 

 rows. Another implement used in "wounding" the soil for the 

 reception of seed was shown. It works much in the same way 

 as a heavy Cambridge roller, such as is used in this country, 

 and makes seed beds for species, generally other than oak. 



This proved a very interesting day. Perhaps the most 

 valuable lesson to be learned was the way in which a poor soil can 

 be utilised, provided a mulch of humus is formed, by a soil- 

 improving species such as beech. Everywhere the obvious 

 advantages of a sustained system of management based on sound 

 silvicultural principles was recognised. 



On the following day a visit was paid to the Frankfort Town- 

 forest, the general features of which had been described in a 

 lantern lecture given the previous evening by the Oberforster. 

 The forest consists chiefly of oak and beech. As far as 

 possible it is laid out in park form, and thus serves the double 

 purpose of providing profit to the city and pleasure for the 

 inhabitants. Bird life is everywhere encouraged by the 

 provision of nesting-boxes, food-trays and drinking fountains 

 for the " feathered songsters of the grove." In fact, bird 

 sanctuaries are created ; but, compared with our home conditions, 

 we find that the country shows an entire absence of hedges and 

 hedgerow trees, which attract our feathered friends more into 

 the open sunshine where they love to revel. 



The two following days were spent in the Spessart, but as 

 some of the ground was the same as that which our Society 

 visited four years ago, it is unnecessary to give a report on it. 



On Sunday, 14th September, the party left Frankfort at 

 S A.M., and journeyed towards the Black Forest, reaching 

 Forbach station at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Then followed 

 a drive to Schonmiinzach. The weather was lovely, and the 

 journey through interesting, cultivated valleys with high 

 mountains in the distance, clothed to the summit with gigantic 

 trees, gave one a grand impression of flourishing agriculture 

 coupled with skilful forestry. 



