38 FOREST PLANTING. 



the planting may be begun, and if properly done, will 

 prove successful. 



In restocking large areas, a good deal of mental work 

 must be performed before the undertaking can be com- 

 menced. Elaborate plans have to be made in which the 

 lots, with proper divisions and sub-divisions, must be 

 determined upon, roads and ways laid out, drainage 

 attended to, in short, every thing must be considered 

 which will assist in securing the vigorous growth of the 

 trees. In making these plans, the limits placed by the 

 necessity of returning the invested capital with compound 

 interest, must never be lost sight of. Nor can we make 

 use of any artificial fertilizer, for we have to be contented 

 with the resources furnished by the kindness of nature. 

 Therefore, first of all, we have to look for the dormant 

 forces of nature, and to consider whether, and with what 

 means, we may be able to make them subservient to our 

 purpose. The agriculturist is able to correct his mistakes 

 every year, but the forest culturist's mistakes accompany 

 him to his grave, and often cannot be corrected, except 

 by generations that come after him. 



CHAPTER VII. 



THE METHODS OF CULTIVATING DENUDED WOOD- 

 LANDS. 



THERE are several modes of cultivating wood-lands. 

 To determine upon one or the other of them by a general 

 rule or by theoretical principles is absolutely impossible, 

 because everything therein depends upon the condition 

 of the soil, climate and situation of the tract to be 



