148 A MANUAL OF FOKESTRY. 



As regards the seventy and number of cuttings it may 

 be given as a general rule, that a gradual change from 

 a dense to a thin shelter-wood is the best mode of 

 procedure. Where extensive areas have to be dealt 

 with, such a constant attention to each wood is not 

 always practicable, and the number of cuttings must be 

 limited and distributed at intervals of several years. 

 The first cutting, in the final stage, is generally made 

 when the young crop is two or three years old, the 

 others following at similar intervals according to require- 

 ments. The last cutting, or final clearing, must not be 

 delayed too long, as a thin sprinkling of shelter trees 

 may do more harm than good. 



The distribution of the yield over the several years and 

 the state of the market frequently interfere with the 

 timely execution of the cuttings. Similarly the occur- 

 rence of a seed year may necessitate a suspension of 

 cuttings in the areas standing in the final stage. 

 These matters are not conducive to a healthy develop- 

 ment of the young crop, but the drawback is to some 

 extent compensated by the heavy increment laid on by 

 the shelter-trees, which increase rapidly in size and 

 value. 



The absolute duration of the final stage differs consider- 

 ably according to species and the special conditions of 

 each locality. In the case of some light-demanding 

 hardy species, and in favourable localities, it may not be 

 longer than from three to five years ; while it may extend 

 over 10, 15 and even more years in the case of tender 

 species, in unfavourable localities, and where the object 

 is to increase the size and value of the shelter-trees in 

 their roomy position. 



