SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON LAflCH. 313 



a dense foliage, such as Beech, Silver Fir and Spruce,* 

 against which it holds its own. In Britain it is also 

 mixed with Oak and Scotch Pine, but neither of these 

 mixtures is a good one in itself ; if it is nevertheless 

 employed, the reason is to be found in the fact that 

 these two species are more valuable as timber trees than 

 the above-mentioned shade-bearing species, and because 

 in the moist climate of Britain a departure from the 

 rules which guide the forester in arranging mixtures is 

 more permissible than in dry continental countries. 



Whenever Larch is grown pure, it should be under- 

 planted at the age of 20 to 30 years with one of the 

 shade-bearing species mentioned above. In addition, the 

 Douglas Fir may be suggested for this purpose, because 

 it stands sufficient shade to grow under a thin Larch 

 wood, it requires some protection during early youth, 

 is a fast grower, and yields valuable timber. Even the 

 Weymouth Pine may do for underplantlng the Larch, 

 provided the latter is strongly thinned beforehand. 



g. Sylviculture^, Systems. 



Larch is treated as high forest, as standards in cop- 

 pice, and it is frequently grown as a shelter wood over 

 and between tender species. In high forest it may be 

 treated under a rotation of 60 years and upwards, accord- 

 ing to the size of timber required. It is useful to fill 

 blanks in existing woods, owing to its rapid growth. 



* If further investigation should show that Chermes laricis and abietis are 

 the same insect, a mixture of Spruce and Larch may become undesirable. 



