CHAP, vii.] Treatment of Mixed Woods 149 



to form part of the mature crop ; it is better to cut it out at 

 once. 



Silver Fir as a ruling species closely resembles Spruce. 

 But it is less active in suppressing the subordinate species when 

 once it catches them up in growth, as its shade is somewhat 

 less dense. The same will also most probably prove correct 

 with regard to the Douglas Fir. 



Black Pines, i. e. Austrian and Corsican, can bear a con- 

 siderable amount of shade, and certainly improve the soil in 

 no slight degree through their rich fall of needles ; hence they 

 are naturally adapted as ruling species, more especially when 

 grown along with very lightly-foliaged trees like Larch. 



Beech as ruling Species. 



Writing in 1791, Gilpin spoke thus slightingly of the 

 Beech : 



' The Oak, the Ash, and the Elm, are commonly dignified in our 

 English woods, as a distinct class, by the title of timber trees . . . 

 After timber trees, the Beech deserves our notice. Some indeed rank 

 the Beech among timber trees ; but, I believe, in general it does not 

 find that respect, as its wood is of a soft spongy nature ; sappy and 

 alluring to the worm.' 



But in what different estimation is this noble woodland tree 

 held by the continental sylviculturists who have studied the 

 subject most thoroughly, and have the best right to speak 

 authoritatively concerning it ! 



Thus Prof. Gayer of Munich says l : 



1 There are many localities in which Beech will continue to be a valu- 

 able wood from a financial point of view (i. e. for fuel in Germany). But 

 where such may not be the case, it will still retain its insurpassable 

 sylvicultural value ; for without the Beech there can no more be properly 

 tended forests of broad-leaved genera, as along with it would have to be 

 given up many other valuable timber trees, whose production is only 

 possible with the aid of Beech.' 



1 Op. cit. 1889, p. 448. 



