FT. II 



210 SYLVICULTURE IN THE TROPICS 



It is a question, therefore, whether the benefit derived 

 from fire protection in these localities is not nullified 

 by the harm done by the invading bamboo. The matter 

 is now being closely studied, and, until definite results 

 have been obtained from the observations, it will be 

 advisable to go cautiously before resorting to fires. A 

 similar difficulty arises in forests where the undergrowth 

 consists of dense masses of such shrubs as Strobilanthes, 

 which flower only once in seven to twelve years and then 

 die down. With such the only thing is to wait for these 

 seed years, and then to retard the next growth of these 

 quick-growing under-shrubs by cutting them back while 

 in their young and green stage. 



After crowns of trees and soil have received the 

 necessary preparation for the shedding and reception of 

 seed, that is to say, probably after a couple of years, the 

 seed-fellings are begun. These are destined to let in 

 still more light to stimulate the germinating seedlings 

 to establish themselves. At the same time, a sufficient 

 number of trees are left to provide the necessary shelter 

 against sun, wind, and rain, to prevent the too quick 

 development of invading weeds, and to keep out other 

 enemies. Where the seed is light, grass and weeds may 

 prevent it from reaching the soil, and the fellings must 

 be made light and often repeated. With shade-enduring 

 species the fellings should also be lighter than with 

 shade -avoiding species. In selecting the trees for re- 

 moval, suppressed and ill-grown trees must first be taken, 

 and also trees belonging to inferior or less valuable 

 species, if they are more numerous than the more valuable 

 kinds. If the trees whose progeny it is most desirable 

 to encourage have light seed, the trees first removed 

 should be to leeward ; if it is heavy, the opening of the 

 leaf-canopy should be close to the parent tree, and 

 below it if on a slope. If the seedlings require low 

 shelter at first the shrubs or under-shrubs will be pre- 

 served, and if they require side shelter the removal of a 

 tree here and there will be sufficient at first. In most 

 cases one seed-felling will not be sufficient, and it will 



