NATURAL REGENERATION. 147 



account of other considerations. In the case of some 

 species a free admission of light is absolutely necessary 

 shortly after the new crop has sprung up ; others will bear 

 a certain amount of shade, but only for a limited period. 



vi. GENERALLY. 



From what has been said** it will be seen that, the 

 forester has to choose between various evils, when 

 deciding on the proper density of the shelter-wood in 

 the final stage ; he must ascertain which of these con- 

 tradictory demands are the strongest, and act accord- 

 ingly. On the whole he will do well to follow a middle 

 course. 



Although under these circumstances it is impossible 

 to give a definite rule for the number and strength of 

 the cuttings in the final stage, it may be useful to give 

 the following directions : a lighter shelter- wood is 

 indicated on north and east aspects, in localities with a 

 short vegetating season such as high altitudes, localities 

 not exposed to cold winds or to rapid weed-growth ; a 

 darker shelter-wood is desirable in frost localities, on 

 south and west aspects, and where a luxuriant weed- 

 growth may be expected. 



Above all, the rapidity and strength of the cuttings 

 in the final stage must be governed by the rate at which 

 the young crop develops. Where it is coming on well, 

 showing strong shoots with fresh green foliage and full 

 buds, the shelter-wood is sure to possess the right 

 degree of density ; if, on the other hand, the new crop 

 consists of weak thread-like plants with feeble crowns, pale 

 foliage and thin buds, the shelter- wood requires thinning. 



L 2 



