CHAP, vi.] Advantages of Mixed Woods 137 



woodland estates are small, the formation of mixed crops is 

 practically the only way of obtaining an annual outturn con- 

 sisting of more than one kind of timber. 



Such are the advantages which Mixed Woods possess over 

 Pure Forests. And what can be urged against them ? Nothing, 

 except that their management needs a better knowledge of 

 Forestry, and greater care and attention on the part of the 

 forester. 



In the above, Sir Herbert Maxwell's assertion that the forma- 

 tion of mixed woods is ' in itself a hindrance to profitable 

 management ' has been disproved ; and it has been shown that, 

 on the contrary, they have many advantages over pure forests. 

 By no means the least of these is the greater security with 

 which the crops may be expected to attain their normal 

 maturity. But, in sylviculture, there are no hard and fast rules 

 applicable to all soils and situations ; and circumstances can 

 often occur not only to justify, but even to recommend, the 

 formation of pure forests. The case has been very well put 

 by Heyer in the following words l : 



' Notwithstanding the manifold and decided advantages which mixed 

 forests offer in general, the formation of pure crops, to be permanenth- 

 worked as such, is by no means precluded ; for they in many cases offer 

 such peculiar advantages as render it advisable or even necessary to 

 retain or form them. Where, for instance, the local market or the 

 nature of the soil and situation (e. g. when the soil is either very wet or 

 very dry) is favourable to one particular species of tree only, that 

 individual kind should be cultivated. But, at the same time, such cases 

 are rather exceptional ; hence, as a rule, the formation of mixed woods 

 is certainly to be recommended? 



1 Der Waldbau, 4th edit. 1891, p. 39. 



