1 80 Studies in Forestry [CHAP. ix. 



less exposed than the shade-bearing species, Beech, Silver 

 Fir, and Spruce. But, when sowings or plantations are formed 

 in the open, it is often necessary to plant out quick-growing 

 and hardy species as nurses, in order to minimize any dangers 

 existing from late and early frosts ; and for this purpose Birch, 

 Scots Pine, and Larch are best suited, as they naturally suffer 

 little from cold, are rapid in growth, make least demands on 

 the soil, and cast but a light shade around them. In damper 

 localities Willow and Alder are often to be found spontane- 

 ously performing similar duties for the benefit of Oak, Ash, 

 and Spruce. 



A protection against raw winds may be obtained by carry- 

 ing out the annual falls of mature timber, and consequently 

 the re-formation of young crops, in the direction contrary 

 to that of the prevailing winds. Although this measure is 

 adopted chiefly on account of the older and more valuable 

 crops of timber, to protect them from being thrown, yet the 

 youngest falls at the same time receive the benefit of lying 

 to the lee of the high tree-forest. 



That rank growth of weeds, whether consisting of grasses or 

 berries, or of woody-fibrous plants like heather, gorse, whortle- 

 berries, and the like, must be cleared away so far as they 

 interfere with the development of the young crop, is of course 

 self-evident, unless the future financial value of the mature 

 crop is to be allowed to run the risk of being considerably 

 prejudiced. 



It may be remarked here that, as fully explained previously on page 

 132, coniferous trees are much more liable to such dangers altogether, am' 

 to serious damage from insects and disease especially, than broad-leaved 

 genera, and also that mixed woods suffer less in this respect than pure 

 crops of only one kind of tree practically. 



And, in the same way, any outlay for combating the attacks 

 of injurious insects, or for annihilating fungoid diseases that 

 may have gained a foothold, is just as essential for the 

 present and the future well-being of the crop as if it had 



