vi] METHODS OF TREATMENT 39 



old mature crop replaced by a new crop of seedling growth 

 during the course of the period. Block I, the oldest block, in the 

 first period; Block II in the second period, and so on. 



The first step then is to classify all the compartments and sub- 

 compartments composing the working-circle, by age, and to 

 arrange them by groups of ages into four or five blocks of equal 

 or equiproductive area. This brings us to the question of whether 

 these blocks are to be self-contained, that is, each of one holding, 

 or whether they are to be composed of compartments scattered 

 about all over the working-circle. 



A compact block of a single holding is always a convenient 

 and orderly feature of a plan, but it is not essential, and if such 

 blocks can only be formed at the cost of many discrepancies in 

 age-class, and consequently of the necessity of shifting a lot 

 of crops about, out of their regular turn as indicated by their 

 age, it is better to give up the idea of an entire block all of a 

 single holding, and to be content with a block 1 composed of 

 crops of the requisite ages, scattered about over the forest. 



(Note. In reviewing the different methods of treatment, we 

 are going to pass over the matter of felling-series for the time 

 being, for the sake of clearness. Except that each felling-series, 

 which is necessarily self-contained as far as possible, must include 

 a complete succession of all age-classes occupying equal areas, 

 the formation of felling-series does not affect the method of 

 treatment, and in the general working scheme it merely forms 

 a detail regarding the location and distribution of the prescribed 

 operations.) 



Now since the principal fellings during any period are confined 

 to the block corresponding, and as tending operations are mean- 

 while carried out in all the other periodic blocks alike, it might 

 be sufficient to compose one block only at any given time, 

 namely the block coming under regeneration, and to leave the 

 separation of the other blocks to the future. For the duration of 

 any given period it is only necessary to have the one block 

 defined, and the three or four other blocks may be left to be 

 arranged when their turn comes. A further step in the way of 

 devolution now becomes visible, and, that is that, instead of 

 having a fixed permanent periodic block, it would be sufficient, 



