81 chakacti:r and composition of woods. 



fertile soil. Elm grows at first more quickly than beech, but 

 afterwards it is liable to be passed, hence it must be placed in 

 groups, or given a start. The groups of elm should subse- 

 quently l)e underplanted with beech. 



(7.) liiirli in iiii.vtiiii' iritli s]ia<h' hcariini species. — Such 

 mixtures occur naturally. Tlit; light seed of the birch settles 

 on all blanks, large or small, and too often interferes with the 

 shade bearing species. 



Birch (Uid beech . — The birch should only form a moderate 

 admixture by single trees ; if it is more numerous, a part 

 should be cut back. Birch becomes ripe for the axe long 

 before the beech. 



Birch and ailrrrjir. — After some time the silver (u- outgrows 

 the birch, which is then likelj' to be suppressed. 



BircJi and apnice.—'^he, birch injures the spruce by a whip- 

 like action of its branches, but S2)ruce soon passes and 

 suppresses birch. 



(8.) Lime, asjieii, and irilloir in nti.tiurc irith shade li(:((rin<i 

 species. — Like birch, these species appear natui'ally amongst 

 shade bearers, more especially in beech woods, where they 

 often do damage owing to their rapid growth in early youth. 

 If it is desired to produce large specimens of these species, 

 they must be reduced to moderate numbers. In after life, 

 beech passes and supi)resses them, if allowed to do so. 



//. Mlxhirc In Coiipiee iriih Standards. 



The greater part of the mixture consists of broad-leaved 

 species, but conifers (larch, Scotch pine, etc.) are not excluded 

 as standards, so that an opportunity is given for the production 

 of any or all species. 



It must be a leading principle to let the light demanding 

 species prevail in the standards or orerwood, and the shade 

 bearing species in the coppice or undern-ood. At the same 

 time, some individuals of the latter species may be represented 

 in the overwood, for the purpose of producing seed to meet the 

 requirements of natural regeneration. 



