166 FORESTKY WORK 



the bark to the centre, again allowing two or three years 

 for the time the tree took to grow to the height where it 

 was cut off- 

 Care must be taken not to count the summer rings, 

 which are usually very faint. These are made at the 

 time of flushing the summer foliage, or, as it is sometimes 

 called, " the second sap." 



If the rings get too narrow at any point, the last ring 

 counted should be traced round until a spot is reached 

 where they are wider. If they are very indistinct, a 

 solution of aniline in methylated spirits should be brushed 

 on the part where the rings are being counted. V/hen the 

 age of a whole wood is required, sample stems should be 

 felled and their annual rings counted. 



