586 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G. 
exploiting the best timber, and leaving the process of 
renovation to natural agents. 
Where, however, forest supervision is practised, as in 
India, efforts are made. to fill in the vacant spaces of 
ground somewhat upon the lines I have indicated. The 
chief objection to the “selection method ” is that it leads to 
irregularity of the leafy canopy, and consequently to 
exposure of large portions of the soil to injurious atmospheric 
influences. It is not to be compared in general utility 
with the so-called ‘‘ compartment” system of management, 
by which a forest is worked out im sections, these 
being at the same time restocked by seeding or by 
the planting of young trees of uniform size. Such 
a system necessitates the adoption of the practice of 
periodically thinning out the young trees as they attain 
a certain size; and this operation, which requires more skill 
and judgment to carry out properly than any other in the 
whole range of forestry, can only safely be undertaken by 
trained men. 
This question of thinning raises another point in con- 
nection with forest management, which requires to be con- 
sidered. 
We have seen that it is highly desirable that forest land 
should be amply stocked with timber, both with the view of 
maintaining soil fertility and restricting the denuding 
effects of rain. : 
It is further necessary that such a degree of proximity 
should exist between the trees that light is so far excluded 
from the lower parts of their stems that the growth of side 
branches is discouraged, and a clean bole or trunk produced, 
thus adding to the commercial value of the wood, which is 
then more likely to be free from knots, besides cutting-out 
to a greater length. 
Under natural conditions, and where direct sowing has 
been practised, the forest if left alone tends to thin itself, 
because the young trees start growth under unequal con- 
ditions, and the taller and stronger plants overgrow those 
which are weaker. On the other hand, when trees of equal 
size are planted artificially, thinning becomes absolutely 
necessary, or they will eventually spoil one another through 
overcrowding. 
By means of judicious thinning carried out -.at the 
right time, the growth of the trees composing a forest is 
greatly assisted, and their full development accelerated by 
many years; a conclusion we might well arrive at when 
considering that trees crowded together too closely retard 
