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CHAPTER lY. 



THE SYLVICULTURAL SYSTEMS, OR METHODS OF 

 TREATMENT. 



By a sylvicultural system is understood the systematically 

 arranged method according to which the formation, regener- 

 ation, tending, and utilisation of the woods, which compose a 

 forest, are effected. 



The character of each system depends in the first place on 

 the method of formation or regeneration, and consequently all 

 systems must come under one of the following three heads : — 



(1.) High or seedling forest. 



(2.) Coppice forest. 



(3.) A combination of seedling and coppice forest. 



Owing to the varying character in the factors of the 

 locality, the composition of woods, and the many different 

 purposes for which they are grown, the above three main 

 sj'stems have been split up into a number of variations. In 

 the case of high forest the principal distinction is, whether 

 the new wood is created on a clear cutting, or under the 

 shelter of an existing wood. In the latter case, the regenera- 

 tion may be effected at the same time in a uniform manner 

 over a considerable area (compartment), or over certain 

 groups, or by the removal of single trees here and there. 

 Coppice woods may consist of stool shoots or of pollards. 

 Again, a number of auxiliary systems have been evolved out 

 of the principal systems by means of certain modifications or 

 additions. 



It is not intended to describe here all existing modifica- 

 tions, but the more important systems may be classified 

 as follows : — 



