QUALITY OF SOIL AND SITUATION 435 



tables for at least three and by preference five qualities of 

 land. It should be noted that the quality of the land is refer- 

 able to its quality for a particular crop. Thus, any given 

 area may be second quality for one particular crop, but only 

 third quality for another. 



One of the best guides as to the quality of land is the 

 height of the crop at different ages ; or, at any rate, the height 

 considered in conjunction with the quarter girth measurement. 

 If the crop be of normal density, the height alone would 

 usually be a sufficient guide in the case of crops approaching 

 maturity ; though, in the case of younger crops, it is often 

 found that up to a certain age a somewhat inferior soil may 

 show as good height growth as a soil of better quality. 



If a crop has been unduly thinned, increment in girth 

 takes place to the detriment of height growth ; and regard 

 must always be paid to this fact when applying yield tables. 



Various attempts have been made to assess the quality of 

 the soil according to a scale, allotting points for different 

 attributes somewhat after the method adopted in judging live 

 stock in the show ring. 



But this method cannot be recommended. It may have 

 an academic interest ; but that is all. It is of no more use in 

 judging the quality of forest land than it would be in judging 

 agricultural land for farming purposes. 



Experience alone can determine the quality of the land. 

 In this connection it will be of great advantage to have a few 

 trial holes dug so as to inspect the nature of the subsoil. 

 Then again, due regard must be paid to the nature of the 

 natural surface vegetation, the altitude, the aspect, and many 

 other considerations which present themselves to an ex- 

 perienced eye. 



But even when the quality of the land and the age of the 

 crop have been determined, the tables are not easy of applica- 

 tion, for it will seldom be found that the number of trees per 

 acre corresponds exactly with the number indicated in the 

 tables for the particular age. To some extent the contents 

 may be computed by taking an amount proportionate to the 

 indicated number and the actual number; but this cannot 



