WORKING PLANS 205 



ascertained what this figure of production is. Moreover, since 

 most woods are not normal or in their best possible condition 

 of production, the working plan must arrange to bring about 

 a condition of normality and this will almost certainly lead to 

 an increased outturn and to a revenue higher than that obtained 

 at the present time. A normal forest is one fully stocked and 

 consisting of a complete series of growths of all ages from the 

 seedling to the mature tree, each age class occupying equal 

 areas, and in which the growth is proportionate to the fertility 

 of the soil. 



The annual production of a normal forest depends on a large 

 variety of circumstances and it can only be approximately 

 ascertained, but at any rate a working plan can guarantee that 

 the outturn shall rather rise than fall by preventing excessive 

 or greatly deficient felling. 



As the whole future of the forest depends on the compiler 

 of the plan, an expert must prepare it. A woodman will not 

 be called upon to do this work, but he ought to know what 

 a working plan means, and he may at times be called upon to 

 collect the data, and to assist the expert. 



A working plan is divided into two parts, the first being an 

 account of past and present conditions, the second containing 

 the prescriptions for future working. These parts are divided 

 into a number of heads such as are given below, but all of 

 them will not be required in every case, while exceptionally 

 other additional heads may be necessary. 



PART I. PAST AND PRESENT CONDITIONS 



1. Description of the Area. 



Configuration and situation. 

 Underlying rock and soil. 

 Climate. 



2. Composition and Condition of the Woods, 



Distribution and area. 

 Boundaries. 



