SYLVICULTURE 53 



plant is better able to resist drought, weed growth is re- 

 pressed, and, along with this, encouragement is given to the 

 young plant. As a result, less "beating up" is required, and 

 a greater regularity of crop is assured. 



In propagating trees from cuttings, "slips" are usually made, 

 from eight to twelve inches long, from small stems or not too 

 slender branches of one to two years old growth. They 

 must be cut in the winter season February suiting very 

 well and should bear two or three healthy buds. Cuttings 

 are set in spring into soil prepared as for an ordinary nursery 

 bed ; they should be planted in such a way that only an inch 

 or two of stalk, bearing a bud, appears above the surface. 

 The earth is made very firm about them, and if the weather 

 be at all dry they must be attended to with water. This 

 system of propagation is best adapted for the raising of 

 Willows and Poplars. 



Natural Regeneration by Seed 



Without man's interference, trees reproduce themselves 

 either by seed or by coppice shoots. For the practical pur- 

 poses of the forester the latter power is confined to the 

 broad-leaved species. 



The old method of stocking a felled area by means of 

 seed shed from adjoining woods is no longer practised to any 

 great extent. Instead, regeneration is effected by seed sown 

 from parent trees left standing upon the felling area itself. 



For the success of this operation certain conditions are 

 essential : 



1 i ) The trees must be able to produce an abundance of 



good seed. 



(2) The ground must be brought into a condition 



favourable to germination and the growth of 

 young plants. 



(3) Provision should be made for suitable shelter for 



the young crop. 



