74 BRITISH FOREST TREES 



naturally, and in general such as show by self-sown seedlings 

 a good capacity for regeneration, even if it be only in 

 order to escape from the often serious damage caused in 

 very young plantations by cockchafer grubs (Melolonthd). 

 From the actuarial point of view however which must always 

 be the principal one, and that most deserving of attention 

 in the private forests of Britain speedy artificial reproduc- 

 tion of regular, equal-aged crops holds out better promise 

 of remunerative results than the doubtful success of naturally 

 regenerated woodlands of a light-demanding species on any 

 poor soil liable to deteriorate. And natural reproduction 

 of our pine forests is seldom quite satisfactory ; here the 

 self-sown seedlings stand too thick, there too sparsely and 

 irregularly, while in other places again they fail altogether, 

 and the soil becomes covered with rank undergrowth, which 

 effectually puts an end to all hope of future spontaneous 

 growth ; at best the results are generally such that expensive 

 assistance has usually to be given by sowing or planting. 



Natural Reproduction. No protective standards are 

 necessary for the natural reproduction of the Scots pine, 

 for on the poorer classes of soil the seedling growth will 

 not bear shade, and on the better situations it can thrive 

 without shelter and soon demands, as a light-loving species, 

 the removal of the parent trees. Natural reproduction 

 under parent standards is therefore only possible on soils 

 above the average in quality, and can be recommended only 

 on the very best situations, as otherwise the increase in 

 growth on the standards does not outweigh the damage 

 done by overshadowing the younger generation. Where, 

 however, a natural, self-sown growth is to be found with 

 normally-formed leading shoots, the standing timber should 

 be removed sooner than in other parts of the forest, so as to 

 ensure the normal development of the young seedlings in 

 groups or patches : for if once crippled in growth, or hindered 



