MIXED AND PURE WOODS 47 



then two larch, according to the quahty of the 

 soil. This method cannot be carried out strictly, 

 for it sometimes happens that the place assigned 

 to an oak is stony, or for some other reason 

 obviously unsuitable; in such a place a beech 

 is planted. Also, an ash is planted instead of 

 an oak wherever the ground is more suitable 

 for ash. 



This method of planting oak and larch mixed 

 should be used wherever the ground gives a 

 fair chance of good growth for the oak. On 

 any part of the plantation which is of better 

 quality pure oak should be planted, and on 

 the part below the average in quality a crop of 

 pure larch can be grown. 



In mixed woods, made as above, there is 

 every probability that the oak, protected by 

 the larch, will grow straight and clean, and the 

 larch will be more free from disease than when 

 planted pure. 



Mixed planting with larch and oak is done 

 for the benefit of the oak, and is based on two 

 reasons. One is cultural : the more rapid growth 

 of the larch prevents the oak from spreading 

 and promotes upward growth ; and the other is 

 financial : the early returns from the larch are 

 some compensation for the long-deferred harvest 



