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CHAPTER IV. 



SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



THE theory and practice of ^Sylviculture, as described 

 in this work, have been illustrated by instances taken 

 from the more important forest trees grown in tem- 

 perate Europe. For the sake of reference, it will be 

 found useful to bring these scattered remarks, and other 

 information, together in a set of notes on each, of the 

 trees which are of real sylvicultural importance in Great 

 Britain and Ireland. For the present the number of 

 species referred to has been limited to twenty; on a 

 future occasion it may be possible to add other less 

 important forest trees. 



The trees naturally arrange themselves into two groups, 

 the broad-leaved and coniferous species. Of each group 

 the important shade-bearers have been placed first, as 

 the notes on the light-demanders depended on those for 

 the former. 



Generally, the notes have been made as short as possible; 

 if a full account of each tree had been given, this chapter 

 would have attained the size of a book. Apart from the 

 author's own experience, they have been derived from 

 the best authorities. The following explanations will be 

 useful : 



(I.) The average specific gravity of air-dried wood 

 has been taken from Hess' " Die Eigenschaften und das 



