14 Studies in Forestry [CHAP. vn. 



that the timber grown is such as suits the requirements of the 

 ordinary markets. One of the highest authorities on the sub- 

 ject gives the following practical advice * : 



' Considering the circumstances of the timber market in general now- 

 adays, and of local demands (i. e. in Germany), and considering also 

 their incontestibly thriving growth, no argument is required to show 

 that conifers, and in particular Spruce, must nearly everywhere claim 

 the lion's share in the composition of the mixed forests of the future.' 



For Britain, however, the Douglas Fir and the Menzies 

 or Sitka Spruce hold out very much better financial promise 

 than the common or Norway Spruce. 



In the primeval forests of Britain mixed woods of Oak and 

 Beech covered most of the low-lying tracts and the better 

 qualities of soil on the uplands ; Beech was the principal 

 tree on the limy hills of central and southern England ; 

 whilst Scots Pine probably asserted itself over the poorer hill- 

 sides, with patches of Birch here and there. On the richer, 

 deeper soil Oak was of quicker growth than Beech, and, grow- 

 ing in localities eminently suited to its requirements, could well 

 regenerate itself naturally under the shade of the parent trees, 

 as may even now be seen in the case of pure woods formed 

 on rich alluvial tracts. The great forests of the Highlands of 

 Scotland were composed for the most part of Scots Pine, 

 because it was content with indifferent classes of soil where 

 few other trees were able to dispute its foothold. A thick 

 growth of moss helped to maintain the productive capacity 

 of the soil when the Pine began to thin itself about the 

 twentieth to thirtieth year, and then became somewhat broken 

 in canopy. In our damp insular climate this not only dimin- 

 ished the danger of soil-deterioration through sun and wind, 

 but it also favoured good natural reproduction and the forma- 

 tion of a closer canopy. Scots Elm, Ash, Alder, Aspen, 

 Willows, and Mountain Ash were all practically confined either 

 by their demands for moisture, or for soil-fertility, or for both, 



1 Gayer, Zeitschrift fiir Forst- und Jagdwesen, 1892, p. 386. . 



