412 SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON TIMBER TREES 



rather liable to become diseased wherever the conditions for 

 its growth are not favourable. In all cases a deep soil is 

 essential. It prefers fairly sheltered situations, and cold, dry, 

 east winds are inimical to it. 



Cultivation, etc. The tree is capable of withstanding 

 considerable shade, especially if the soil be moist; and its 

 foliage is denser than that of most Pines. It grows very fast 

 when once it is established. It is rather shy of transplanting ; 

 but, if this be done late in the spring, there is not much 

 danger to fear. Its side branches are very persistent, and a 

 very close canopy is necessary in order to prune them off. 

 The tree is peculiar in transpiring an enormous amount of 

 moisture, and, for this reason, the greatest care is necessary 

 if it be used for underplanting. 



It may be grown pure as even-aged high forest ; but, as 

 it is rather liable to fungous attacks, it is less risky to plant a 

 mixture. 



Thus, Weymouth and Scots or Corsican Pines may be 

 evenly mixed, the Weymouth Pines being left for the mature 

 crop, if all goes well. They should be planted 3 feet apart 

 each way. 



It is rather difficult to make any other mixture by 

 alternate rows or trees, unless the inferior growth of one of 

 the species be not objected to. 



However, Weymouth Pine and Sitka Spruce might 

 give good results, though it would be a very expensive 

 mixture ; for both species are expensive to raise. 



But, as is the case with most species, the most satisfactory 

 manner of forming mixtures is, generally, by groups or patches, 

 when, if fairly large groups be made, almost any species can 

 be mixed, provided the soil be suitable. 



Weymouth Pine is admirably suited for underplanting 

 crops of Larch or Ash, provided that the soil be not too 

 dry. The light overhead canopy will afford the Pines the 

 shelter they require from frosts ; and the cost of raising 

 a crop can be very much reduced by planting 2-year-old 

 plants. 



Rotation. The best rotation is about 80 years. 



