CHAP, vi.] Advantages of Mixed Woods 1 1 7 



As arboriculturists we have nothing to learn from con- 

 tinental nations ; but as sylviculturists we may learn a very great 

 deal indeed. There is a need for the dissemination of sound 

 knowledge, in the first instance regarding the proper density at 

 which sowings and plantations should be made, and in the 

 second instance as to that which should be maintained afterwards 

 at all the various stages of their development. Sir Herbert 

 Maxwell attributes the formation of mixed woods in great 

 measure to neglect in cutting out the nurses originally planted 

 for the purpose of stimulating the crops to quicker growth 

 and of keeping down weeds. He says and the statement 

 is undoubtedly a true indictment of neglect and incapacity in 

 those charged with the supervision of woodlands : 



' Want of system leads to irregularity in thinning out the nurses, 

 which often remain to compete with what was intended to be the per- 

 manent wood, and the result is a mixed plantation.' 



As will be pointed out in another chapter (see p. 183), such 

 nurses should be removed during the weedings and clearings of 

 the young woods ; whilst, if for any reason they have been 

 allowed to stand till thinnings commence, an opportunity is 

 then still given to remove them gradually. 



It would, however, hardly be rational to set up these mis- 

 managed woods admittedly the outcome of neglected tending 

 operations, and not at all in conformity with the intentions or 

 wishes of the proprietor on anything like the same platform as 

 mixed woods formed after deliberate consideration as to the 

 best kinds of trees suited for each portion of the soil to be 

 utilized under woodland crops. But, where mixed woods are 

 formed by capable foresters, they have, in comparison with pure 

 forests, the great advantages of denser growth, larger and finer 

 production of timber both as regards quantity and technical 

 quality, comparative immunity from throwing or breakage by 

 wind, snow, or ice, as well as from dangers arising from insects, 

 fungoid diseases, and fire ; whilst against all these very solid 

 advantages only one drawback can be named, that the 



