104 European Plans of Forest Management. 



trees become large, the fattening of swine upon the nuts and acorns 

 is usually allowed. 



404. In such, a forest, in best condition, the trees are much 

 nearer together than as we commonly find them in a wild-wood i 1 

 the ground is so shaded that no grass will grow, and the seeds that 

 fall soon perish for want of air and light. In fact the trees them- 

 selves do not bear seeds as freely as when they have more space. 



405. At the time of these thinnings, the soft woods of more 

 rapid growth, such as the poplars, birches, alders, etc., should be 

 taken out where they are not wanted ; but a mixture of kinds, such 

 as the oak and beech, or the beech and Scotch pine is often en- 

 couraged, as they agree well together, and make a more profitable 

 product than either would alone. As the oak yields a more valu- 

 able timber, they generally prefer to give it a greater chance. 



406. Care should be taken to clear out the brambles and shrubs, 

 good for nothing but faggots, and which are bound in bundles and 

 sold. The branches of trees cut in thinning are also used as 

 faggots. 



407. Finally, as the time for general cutting draws near, and it 

 becomes necessary to provide for a new forest-growth, the seeding 

 of the plants that are to form the future forest is secured without 

 cost, and with great success, by a simple course of management that 

 deserves careful notice : 



408. At first, they take out some of the trees uniformly over the 

 whole surface, so as to let in the air and light, and thus favor the 

 remaining trees in bearing fruit. The seeds that form fall under or 

 near the parent trees, and become lightly covered by the leaves of 

 the same season. Being on the surface of a rich soil, which has 

 been forming for a long period, from the decay of foliage, and now 

 exposed to the sun's light and warmth, they spring up as young 



1 Nothing can be more impressive to one accustomed only to the irregu- 

 larity of an American forest, than the sight of u well kept European plan- 

 tation in full growth. As he looks into the gloomy recesses, the trees stand 

 in rows like organ pipes, greatly exceeding in number those ever found 

 from spontaneous growth, and with asymmetry in size and height that is 

 remarkable. When seen at a distance, such forests appear level at the top, 

 and we oftSn see different levels, indicating differences in n^e. The best 

 cultivated forests of Germany are worth from three to five times as much 

 as native woods. 



