A MANUAL OP FORESTRY. 



generally indicate what species are capable of thriving 

 on a locality ; it should however not be overlooked that 

 any species found growing naturally on the area are not 

 always those best adapted for it, because their presence 

 may depend on circumstances other than a general suit- 

 ability of soil and climate : for instance, a shade- 

 bearing species may have ousted a light-demanding one, 

 or a greater power of reproduction may have enabled one 

 species to drive out another possessed of a smaller 

 energy in that respect. 



As long as the factors of the locality are fairly the 

 same over the whole area, the latter may be treated in a 

 uniform manner, but the occurrence of decided differ- 

 ences may necessitate the selection of different species 

 for different parts. Any attempt at uniformity in 

 spite of such differences may lead to a serious loss in 

 returns. 



In order to provide for a continuous preservation of 

 the fertility of the locality, it is necessary to select 

 species which give sufficient shelter to the soil and a 

 good supply of humus.* This rule can only be disre- 

 garded in thoroughly favourable localities. Under these 

 circumstances, species with dense crowns must receive 

 special attention in making a selection for middling and 

 inferior localities ; in addition, interference with the 

 fertility of the soil, such as the removal of leaf-mould, 

 excessive grazing, faulty treatment, &c., must be care- 

 fully avoided. Above all, personal fancy on the part of 

 the forester for a particular species must be set aside. 



Not unfrequently several species are found to be 

 equally well adapted for a locality. In such cases other 



* See page 145 of Volume I. 



