i;6 BRITISH FOREST TREES 



is at first somewhat backward in growth, but, from the age 

 of thicket onwards, corresponds fairly well with the develop- 

 ment of the beech, maintaining itself till maturity ; and if 

 towards the end of the period of rotation it may on better 

 or moister soils show growth in advance of the ruling 

 species, this does not do so much harm as in the case of 

 the spruce. Wherever, therefore, blanks show the better 

 qualities of soil, a preference should be given to the 

 admixture of the silver fir. With its slow initial develop- 

 ment, some advantage has to be given it over the quicker 

 growing beech, and this is perhaps best arranged for, by 

 introducing it early into seedling growth of beech by means 

 of planting, as the shade of standard beech trees is somewhat 

 too dense for sowing ; later on, however, the silver fir is of 

 more rapid growth than the beech, which it is apt to suppress 

 with its heavy shade. Where patches of self-sown birch 

 have found their way into beech forests, they often prove 

 very good nurses for the silver fir, protecting them against 

 frost, though not overshadowing them to any injurious 

 extent. Tending can best take place when the silver fir is 

 introduced in small patches, or in rows, rather than as 

 scattered individuals. 



The association of spruce with the beech takes place 

 usually only on soils that are not sufficiently good or deep 

 or the profitable admixture of the nobler broad-leaved trees, 

 or of silver fir. Under certain circumstances its introduction 

 is more or less of a necessity, as for example on many 

 localities where constant removal of the dead foliage, with 

 consequent deficiency of needful humus, has been followed 

 by deterioration of the soil ; here the reproduction of 

 broad-leaved forest cannot, for the meantime at least, be 

 so remunerative as that of the more easily satisfied spruce 

 with its good soil-improving qualities. Both species show 

 wide variations in manner and rate of growth, and in 



