CHOICE OF SYSTEMS 29 



always be advisable to favour the growth of the coppice, and 

 thus form an effectual screen and additional covert for game 

 preservation. 



Another point in favour of this method is, that when the 

 standards are finally felled, the raising of the new crop is 

 confined to a minimum area, the whole of which, where 

 rabbits are numerous, can be fenced en bloc at a cheaper rate 

 per tree than is usually the case when the young trees are 

 each separately surrounded by a piece of netting or tarred 

 felt ; and also, the labour in looking after these young trees, 

 and preventing suppression by the coppice, is very much less 

 than where the trees are spread over a large area. 



The quantity and quality of timber that will be produced 

 by this method is, so far as the overwood is concerned, about 

 similar to that grown as the overwood in two-storied high 

 forest. Under this latter system, however, the total quantity 

 of timber produced will be greater and more valuable than 

 the total quantity produced where coppice growth forms part 

 of the crop. These three systems should only be attempted, 

 however, when there is a sufficiency of moisture in the soil, 

 for the existence of an undercrop demands more moisture in 

 the soil than is necessary if such crop were growing in the 

 open. Also, the soil itself must at any rate be of fair quality. 

 Under two-storied high forest there are two periods in one 

 rotation, when there is a young crop affording covert for 

 game; hence, for this reason, it will often be preferred to 

 compartments of even-aged high forest. 



When, however, it is desired to grow a maximum amount 

 of timber which shall also be of the highest quality, the pre- 

 ference must be given to even -aged high forest at any rate 

 for the shade-bearing trees, and also for such trees as Scots 

 Pine and Corsican Pine, which, until they approach maturity, 

 require a very close canopy, and are quite unsuited for being 

 systematically underplanted,. although the latter may be 

 underplanted if the rotation is a long one. 



Except in the early stages of their existence, these com- 

 partments will afford no suitable covert whatever for game, 

 if they have been properly managed. 



