20 TREE GROWTH IN RELATION TO 



species desired. If the wood is near a factory requiring a par- 

 ticular species it would probably pay to grow it ; for instance, 

 near a chair factory beech may be desirable ; near a wood- 

 pulp factory for the manufacture of paper, spruce, poplar, or 

 some other quick growing soft wooded tree would probably 

 be chosen, as the market for the future timber is assured. 

 Near mines, where pit props have a ready sale, larch, Douglas 

 fir, Scotch pine, Corsican pine, or spruce, would be the best 

 species to plant. If there is no such special object in view 

 the woodman's aim should be to grow the greatest volume 

 of the best quality of the most valuable timber. At present, 

 the most paying trees to plant are probably larch, ash, Douglas 

 fir, Scotch or Corsican pines, oak, elm, and black poplar. 



2. Species which have done well on the spot or near by. In 

 deciding what species are likely to do well the examination 

 of neighbouring woods is of the first importance. If a species 

 has already succeeded near by, it may be accepted as fairly 

 certain that the various factors of soil and situation suit that 

 species, and that it will be safe to grow it. But in judging 

 from existing woods it is important to remember that mature 

 woods alone are a sufficient guide. A flourishing young wood 

 will only show that the soil and climate suit that species up 

 to its present age or a little beyond, and does not prove that 

 it will continue to flourish up to maturity ; a flourishing 

 mature wood, however, may be accepted as proof positive 

 that a new crop of the same species will succeed if properly 

 managed. If, however, the existing woods are in poor con- 

 dition it must not be at once concluded that the species is 

 unsuitable. The past management must be taken into con- 

 sideration, as the poor growth may be due to bad treatment 

 and not to unsuitability of soil or climate. As an example 

 the Forest of Dean may be mentioned. Over large areas the 

 present crop of oak is poor, the trees are short in bole and 

 much branched, and at first sight it might be assumed that 

 the soil and climate are not suitable for oak. Nevertheless, 



