THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH-CLASS TIMBER. 229 



along the edges ; if too large, the advantages of the admixture 

 of beech are considerably reduced. Hence, the area of the oak 

 groups should lie between one quarter of an acre and one acre. 

 In the natural course of events, the beech will commence 

 to intrude into the oak groups, as soon as they begin to 

 thin out above, thus establishing an under^YOod of beech in 

 them. If the beech does not come naturally into the oak 

 groups, it may be artificially introduced by sowing or planting. 

 In this way, again, fine oak can be produced, and the increment 

 per acre can be kept at the liighest possible rate. 



Instead of beech, the silver fir has been used for under- 

 planting oak woods, a method which has given very good 

 results. In somewhat moist places, hornbeam has taken the 

 place of the beech. Spruce has also been used, but it is not so 

 good as the others, as the oak is liable to become stag-headed ; 

 the mixture is admissible under favourable conditions, or 

 where the spruce is to be cut out at a comparatively early age. 

 Oak has also been underplanted with Weymouth pine and 

 with fairly good results. 



The rearing of ash and hcecJt. in mixture can be done as in 

 the case of oak and beech. The ash is either grown pure and 

 subsequently, at the age of twenty to thirty years, under- 

 planted with beech; or the two are started at the same time. 

 In the subsequent thinnings, the ash is duly protected against 

 any attacks on the part of the beech. Frequently, ash and oak 

 are planted together, mixed, and subsequently underplanted 

 with beech or silver fir. 



The rearing of larcJi ivitk hecch is of special importance, now 

 that the larch disease has spread over the length and breadth 

 of Britain. Whatever the cause of the disease may be, suffice 

 it to say that its rapid spreading is due to the indiscriminate 

 planting of pure larch, especially in localities which are not 

 thoroughly suited to the species. It is now recognised in 

 Britain that larch should be planted only in favourable 

 localities ; that is to say, in a fairly rich soil and on cool 

 aspects. Even then, the formation of pure larch woods is 



