114 FOREST PLANTING. 



much greater density than older ones, and do not need 

 to be so carefully thinned out as the older ones. At 

 all events the margin of woods should be left thicker, not 

 only in respect to tree-growth, but also in regard to the 

 undergrowth, formed by shrubs and brushes, which 

 have sprung up there. For only in this natural wjiy 

 can the noxious influences of the sun, light, and drying 

 winds upon the forest-growth at the margins of the woods 

 be obviated. The same rule holds good if there are open- 

 ings in the interior of woods on account of the inter- 

 ruption of the density of the trees in those places. The 

 point never to be lost sight of in the management of forests 

 is, to keep the soil fully shaded, especially when it is 

 poor and dry. 



In woods of mixed growth, such as occur in natur- 

 ally grown forests, thinning is done on different princi- 

 ples. There the light-needing trees grow ahead of the 

 shade-enduring ones, and seemingly subdue them. 

 Nevertheless, the latter must not be removed, as they 

 form the most important part of the forest, and thrive 

 even in the shade of the light-needing trees. In thin- 

 ning such forests we have to consider both classes of 

 trees separately, and by looking at the overgrown tree-', 

 we have lo remove of this class (light needing), those 

 which prevent the full development of their companions ; 

 while looking at the undergrowth we have to remove of 

 the shade-enduring class, such as are subdued or are likely 

 to be subdued by trees of their own class. However, to 

 proceed here correctly is not an easy task, nnd should 

 never be left to the discretion of ordinary workingmen. 



Old trees growing among young stock should not be 

 felled in the ordinary way, but gradually removed by 

 first separating the branches so as not to injure the young 

 trees surrounding them; and then the trunk after being 

 felled, should be cut up and carried piece by piece, with 

 the least damage possible to the after-growing trees. 



