258 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



/. Character and Composition of Woods. 



The Chestnut is not very suitable for growing in pure 

 woods as high forest, as it opens out about the same 

 time as the Oak, though not to the same extent. Such 

 woods require under-planting. It is, however, grown 

 pure as coppice. It does well in mixture with Beech and 

 Oak as high forest ; in coppice it is grown mixed with 

 many species, as Beech, Oak, Ash, Elm, Maple, Lime, 

 Birch, Hazel, Willow, Aspen, &c. 



g. Sylvicultural Systems. 



High forest, standards in coppice, but chiefly cop- 

 pice. In Southern Europe much grown as a fruit tree 

 in open woods. As high forest it is treated under a 

 rotation generally not exceeding 100 years, as coppice 

 under one of 5 to 30 years, according to the size of the 

 required material. 



h. Formation of Woods. 



Direct sowing is done, but chiefly planting. The 

 chestnuts ripen in October and fall immediately. They 

 retain their germinating power for about six months. 

 Of good chestnuts not less than 60% should germinate. 

 One pound contains about 115 chestnuts. 



Direct sowings should be made in spring, as the 

 chestnuts are liable to be eaten by mice if sown in 

 autumn; they should not be sown too early, as the 

 young seedlings are tender against late frosts. The 

 chestnuts should be covered with about 1J inches of 

 soil ; they germinate after five or six weeks. 



