STOCKING THE GEOUND 113 



shade of the heavy-foliaged trees may benefit as largo 

 an area as possible. The heavy leaf-fall of the shade- 

 bearers will spread over the intervening spaces, and 

 water will carry the plant food in solution from one place 

 to another in draining through the soil. 



The two latter methods are especially to be advocated 

 when there is danger of one species suppressing another. 

 The advantages of both systems are obtained to a certain 

 degree with few of their disadvantages. They are pure 

 groups in a mixed plantation and may be treated as such. 



Mixing in Uneven-Aged Woods. 



As suggested above, light-foliaged trees are planted 

 pure and allowed to remain so for a period — Larch from 

 25 to 30 years, Oak from 40 to 50 years. A heavy 

 thinning is then taken, leaving from 300 to 350 trees 

 per acre, and the wood is underplanted with some soil 

 improving species, such as Beech, Sitka Spruce, or 

 Douglas Fir, under Larch; and Beech or Douglas Fir 

 under Oak. 



Spruce, although it stands shade well, should not be 

 planted unless there is a very good supply of moisture, 

 as it transpires too much water, to the detriment of the 

 Oak. 



Mixtures. 



Douglas Fir and Sitka Spruce: A fairly good mixture, 

 but too expensive at the present time. 



Douglas Fir and Larch: A good mixture in uneven- 

 aged woods, and also in groups or strips. 



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