192 SYLVICULTURE IN THE TROPICS 



PT. II 



the trees in such a manner that their stools did not 

 become submerged. The only precaution that can be 

 taken is not to cut trees for coppice except those of such 

 small diameter as will have a chance of having the 

 wound covered up quickly by the growing shoots. 



Another rule given by European foresters is to cut 

 with the axe and to fashion the stool preferably into a 

 flat dome shape, or, at any rate, not to make it hollow 

 in the middle. The object of this rule is to avoid a 

 spongy surface which would be given with a saw and to 

 prevent water accumulating over the stool, a spongy 

 surface and a hollow stool hastening the decay of the 

 wood and the death of the stool. This rule still holds 

 good for the Tropics ; but where there are indifferent 

 axe-men who chop at a stool and ultimately leave it 

 much hacked about, it is a question whether a clean cut 

 with the saw, made in a slightly downward slanting 

 direction, is not better. I myself have found it to be 

 quite satisfactory with quick -growing Eucalypti in the 

 mountains of Ceylon. In the case of small poles the 

 best implement is probably a bill-hook or one of the 

 similar implements used by natives for clearing a way 

 through jungle, such as khookri, dah, catti, or machete, 

 with which a slanting blow is given close to the ground. 

 With a little practice the young tree is felled at one 

 stroke. The blow should be given outwards from the 

 body ; for, if given inwards, the impetus may carry the 

 blade against some part of the striker's anatomy and 

 cause a wound. If an axe is used, a heavy block of 

 wood should be placed against the young tree on the 

 side opposite to that from which the blow will come. 

 This will not only make cutting easier, but will save the 

 root-system from suffering from shock. 



The best time for coppicing varies greatly according 

 to species and locality. It may even happen that the 

 forests are inaccessible during the best season. As a 

 rule it may be said to be best shortly before the vegeta- 

 tion breaks out into renewed activity. This season is 

 usually shortly before the burst of the principal rainy 



