CHOICE OF SYSTEMS 27 



stimulated, as they help to draw each other up ; there is a 

 greater proportion of them per acre ; and the well-being of 

 the coppice, or otherwise, receives comparatively small 

 consideration. 



(cT) High Forest with Standards. This is a system which 

 is characterised by a small crop of standards, say, 15 to 30 

 per acre, growing over an undercrop of shade-bearing trees. 

 It is rather similar to two-storied high forest, but it implies 

 not only a small crop of standards, but also, usually, a crop 

 of standards growing on for a second rotation so as to produce 

 extra large timber. 



It is sometimes adopted in the growing of Oak timber. 

 For instance, Oak may have been planted along with other 

 trees, which have been harvested when mature, and then the 

 Oak are underplanted and allowed to grow on for a second 

 rotation. 



THE CHOICE OP SYSTEMS. 



It is very difficult to say which system is preferable to 

 another ; so much will depend upon the given circumstances 

 of any particular case. But there are certain merits and 

 demerits appertaining to each of the systems to which due 

 consideration should always be given. 



In cases where amenities for game preservation are of 

 paramount importance some system of coppice will usually 

 be decided upon ; but when financial results alone are con- 

 sidered, the choice will often fall upon some system of high 

 forest. In this latter connection, however, there is not that 

 great difference in the nett financial returns as is usually 

 supposed, if regard is had to the invested capital in each 

 case. 



On really poor land no form of coppice should be attempted, 

 for the periodic laying bare of the soil has a deteriorating in- 

 fluence, and the coppice produce itself, which is young and 

 sappy, removes a far greater quantity of plant food from the 

 soil than is lost by the removal of an equal volume of mature 

 timber. 



For financial reasons, simple coppice can hardly ever be 



