178 Studies in Forestry [CHAP. vm. 



of the sylviculturist to confine to the main object of the pro- 

 duction of a large, clean bole as nearly cylindrical as possible. 

 The necessity for artificial formation of forests in Scotland 

 during the past century has already been recognized. But as, in 

 very many cases, mature crops are now awaiting utilization and 

 reproduction, the attention of those concerned in the manage- 

 ment of wooded estates may well be called to the later 

 advantages offered by natural reproduction, even although at 

 first the rapid increment in plantations seems to point to that 

 method of regeneration as being the most profitable. Yet 

 there is no reason why a compromise should not be effected, 

 natural reproduction being carried out at first to whatever 

 extent it shows itself easy of success, and artificial assistance 

 being then availed of without waiting for the further production 

 of seed by the parent standards. The means thus offered 

 for the formation of mixed crops should in reality add to, 

 rather than detract from, the advantages offered from both 

 a sylvicultural and a financial point of view. 



