SYLVICULTURE. 



- It is remarkable to find that these worthless shoots may be re- 

 placed by strong shoots after coppicing with the axe. 



The poorer the fire-culled Oak coppice, the greater is the im- 

 provement obtainable by axe-coppicing. 



II. Cultured Oak Coppice: 



In Europe, Oak coppice is the form in which Oak bark is raised 

 for tanning purposes, under a rotation of fifteen to twenty-five 

 years. 



In America, coppiced Oak is used only for charcoal and fire- 

 wood rarely for railroad ties. Rotations yielding ties will not 

 allow ol ready reproduction under the coppice form, unless the soil 

 is very strong. 



At Biltmore, Post Oak three inches through, White Oak ten 

 inches through, Black Oak and Scarlet Oak twelve inches through 

 are unlikely to sprout. 



A rotation or not to exceed forty years seems indicated. Such 

 a rotation might also yield hoop poles, poles for sphtwood fabrics 

 and minor wagonstock. 



B. Beech: 



Beech coppice yields firewood only, charcoal and so-called retort- 

 wood for dry distillation. 



The sprouting capacity of the Beech invites short rotations. 

 Strong soil is required. 



C. Hickory: 



* Hickory coppice promises good financial results on strong soil 

 only, Inres must be strictly kept in check, owing to the heavy scars 

 which they inflict on Hickory. Rotations of about twenty years, 

 low stumps and winter cutting seem required. 



On Biltmore soil, stumps over six inches in diameter usually re- 

 fuse to sprout. 



D. Locust: 



Locust coppice densely planted on old fields seems to be a good 

 investment, although the poles thus produced consist of sappv wood 

 undesirable for fence posts. The young shoots suflfer from a pith- 

 boring moth (Ecdytolopha species). 



The sprouting capacity is very good, helped by the ready forma- 

 uon of rootsuckers. 



In Germany, wagn stock is obtained in rotations of twenty 

 years. 



E. Chestnut: 



Chestnut is the American species best adapted for the coppice 1 

 forest. Stumps of any diameter emit sprouts. A rotation of twenty 

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