

FOREST MANAGEMENT 129 



influences of the situation, the natural weed growth on the 

 soil's surface, etc. Where trees have already occupied the 

 ground the value of the site is more easily estimated than 

 where there is no guide from forest growth. In the former 

 case the condition is judged from the development in height 

 of the trees for the respective ages. 



For certain methods of regulating the utilisation of a 

 forest, not the actual average-sized area, but a so-called 

 " reduced " area, is taken. This is necessary, because the 

 productive quality of the areas usually varies ; and if it be 

 desired to divide a forest into sections of equal yield capacity, 

 it follows that the poorer situations must be of greater extent 

 than the rich. In order to arrive at a proper balance, re- 

 ducing factors are employed. The best quality may be 

 called i, and inferior grades expressed by decimals of this, 

 or the average quality may be selected as the standard unit. 

 From the above it is evident that the soil and situation of 

 each wood ought to be appraised with care. 



Coming into consideration along with the locality is the 

 quality of the crop. The species of which the wood is 

 comprised must first be stated in the written account ; mixed 

 woods may have the kinds of trees indicated in the propor- 

 tion in which they occur. Thus, for example, a mixture of 

 Beech, Oak, and Ash might be stated Beech -6, Oak -3, 

 Ash -i. Then the age is noted, and the natural period to 

 which the wood may be assigned is given. Terms such as 

 " thicket stage," " pole forest," and " timber forest " describe 

 the stage which a wood has reached even better than a mere 

 numeral giving the years of its growth. Anything remark- 

 able about the trees, as affecting the quality of the timber, 

 should be included in the statement. The degree of density 

 may be represented by a figure, the "normal" condition being 

 called I, and the less perfect being denoted by decimal frac- 

 tions. Whether the crop be " blanky," " open," have a 

 "fairly good canopy," or what its general state is, should be 

 expressed in words as well as by figures. The method of 

 formation of each wood must be given so far as it is known, 



