322 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



lateral shelter, or light top shelter as long as late frosts 

 are feared. The seedlings may be pricked out when one 

 year old, and planted out into the forest after they have 

 stood one or two years in nursery lines ; their develop- 

 ment is very rapid, similar to that of Larch. 



g. Tending. 



Douglas Fir seems quite capable of preserving the 

 fertility of the soil. 



How much the tree is likely to suffer from external 

 dangers in Britain will depend on further experience. 

 So far it is certain that it suffers somewhat from late 

 frosts while young, but is hardy afterwards. Dry winds 

 are not likely to suit it. Strong winds injure the 

 leading shoots, and have also thrown the tree in pure 

 woods in Scotland. 



Deer and roebuck are detrimental to the Douglas Fir, 

 more especially on account of their peeling the bark. 



It is not possible to say at present in how far Douglas 

 Fir is likely to suffer from insects in Europe. It is 

 attacked by a number of those which prey on the in- 

 digenous conifers, but further experience must show 

 the extent to which it is likely to suffer from such 

 attacks. Of fungi, Botrytis Douglasii kills the young 

 shoots, and Agaricus melleus and Trametes radiciperda 

 have been found on the tree. 



The thinnings of Douglas Fir woods should be light 

 for a considerable period, so as to cause the lower 

 branches to die off, and the formation of cylindrical 

 boles. 



