1 62 Studies in Forestry [CHAP. vin. 



Noble Fir and Pines, yield a much larger outturn in timber, 

 and, despite less value per unit of bulk, a higher percentage 

 on the capital involved than can generally be obtained by 

 the growth of mixed crops of deciduous forest trees. 



At the same time, on suitable soil, coppices of Alder, Oak, 

 and Willow may show financial results far exceeding those 

 obtainable from conifers ; but, in such cases, the quality of 

 the soil and its location are usually very different from those 

 of the areas which have naturally been set apart for sylvi- 

 culture, owing to their unsuitability for arable or pastural 

 utilization. 



Where all genera seem to have about equal chances of 

 thriving, pure forests of Douglas Fir, Silver Firs, and Spruces 

 offer the greatest financial advantages, owing to the large 

 quantities of timber produced and the large percentage of 

 it utilizable for the higher technical purposes ; Oak, Ash, Elm, 

 and Maples come next ; then Pines, softwoods, and last of all 

 the Beech. These, however, are merely rough generalizations ; 

 for in each concrete case local climatic conditions exert their 

 influence. Hence, in warm southern districts, Oak and other 

 light-demanding genera yield more favourable results than 

 the densely-foliaged Spruce, which thrives best in the cool, 

 humid atmosphere prevalent within mountain ranges and at 

 high elevations. 



In technical value and financial returns obtainable per unit 

 of volume, none of our indigenous timbers equals the Oak ; 

 whilst, for furniture and ornamental purposes, Ash, Maples, 

 and Red Elm approach nearest to it. For the manufacture of 

 agricultural implements, and for similar purposes requiring 

 toughness combined with lightness, Ash timber has a value 

 specially its own. Among conifers, good, sound, large-hearted 

 Larch is of highest value, whilst Pine, Spruce, and Silver Fir 

 vary locally in price. But as Spruce and Silver Fir are so 

 much more productive per acre than other conifers, the large 

 supplies of their timber annually thrown into the continental 



