24 PROTECTION AGAINST MAN. 



In order to keep within the limits of the fixed annual yield, 

 trees to be felled should be properly marked in accordance 

 with administrative rules, and after the fellings, the stumps of 

 felled trees should be examined and counted in order to detect 

 possible irregularities. In some cases, as in Coppice-with- 

 Standards, the trees to be reserved are marked instead of 

 those to be felled. The practice in France of marking such 

 trees by cutting off a portion of the bark and stamping on 

 them with a steel hammer may give rise to attacks of fungi 

 and defects in the wood at the base of the tree. 



In the case of large felling-areas, it may be necessary to 

 employ an extra forest guard, in addition to the guard of the 

 beat, to supervise the woodmen, and when trees are sold 

 standing, the purchaser may be allowed to appoint a special 

 guard with temporary police powers and a badge of office. 

 This necessity for special supervision applies to all the suc- 

 ceeding sections, referring both to the removal of principal 

 and minor produce. 



3. Bad Felling. 



Measures for the prevention of mischief are : 

 (a) Employment of competent and trustworthy woodcutters, 

 and careful instruction in, and supervision of, their work. It 

 is generally advisable to employ the same men year after year, 

 and withdraw from the gang all those who fell badly, also to 

 encourage the best men by instruction and higher wages. 

 The best available implements should be used. 



(6) Only such trees should be felled, as are so designated 

 by the manager of the forest. Should any other tree be 

 accidentally thrown, owing to a falling tree coming against it, 

 a neighbouring tree of similar dimensions and species should 

 be left to replace it. 



(c) Trees should be uprooted, whenever this is possible, 

 and felling so conducted as to facilitate the transport of the 

 timber. 



(d) Cessation of the work during unfavourable seasons or 

 weather ; for instance, when the trees are in sap, except where 

 bark is being harvested ; during absence of snow on the ground 

 to break the fall of the trees and spare natural regeneration ; 



