CH 



.viii REGENERATION BY SEED 205 



the lines at right angles to the direction of the wind 

 which blows during seeding time ; but if, by giving such 

 a direction to the cleared lines, there is a danger of 

 letting in violent winds at other times which might 

 do damage to the young crop, and perhaps even to the 

 portion of the older crop which has been left standing, 

 it is wiser to let these winds govern the direction of 

 the lines. In following this rule, however, it is essential 

 that the distribution of seed over the coupes be not made 

 impossible ; and if it be not practicable to give to the 

 lines such a direction as will not only afford the neces- 

 sary protection but make regeneration possible, another 

 method of regeneration must be adopted. 



In mountainous countries the direction will depend 

 partly on the gradient, and partly on the local direction 

 of the wind. On steep slopes the lines should be made 

 horizontal in order to prevent erosion ; on gentle slopes, 

 on the contrary, it will probably be more advantageous 

 to make them at right angles to the contours. By so 

 doing there will be less risk of injury to the standing 

 crop adjoining the coupes, and extraction of timber will 

 also be made easier. 



As the direction of the wind, in hilly country, may 

 be deflected by protruding spurs, or may be led into a 

 different direction through gaps in the range, it is 

 necessary to study these local conditions before the 

 direction of the lines is finally fixed upon. 



The course of the sun has also some influence in the 

 selection of a direction for the lines. Broadly speaking, 

 as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, they 

 should be made north and south, in order that the seed- 

 lings in the lines may have shade during the greater 

 part of the morning and afternoon. According to the 

 slight variation from this course which the sun may run 

 at the time when the seedlings are in their most delicate 

 state, the lines may be made to be deflected from the 

 north and south direction to one which will give shelter 

 to the seedlings for as long a portion of the day as 

 possible. 



