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CHAPTER I. 



PRELIMINARY WORKS. 



Before a wood can be formed certain preliminary matters 

 must be attended to. Tbese will be indicated in the following 

 three sections : — 



Section I. — Choice of species. 

 „ II. — Fencing. 

 ,, III. — Eeclamation of the soil. 



Section I. — Choice of Species. 



The success of forestry depends in the first place upon a 

 judicious selection of the species of tree which is to be 

 grown under a given set of conditions. A full considera- 

 tion of this matter is of great importance, because mistakes 

 made in the selection of species cannot, as u rule, be recti- 

 fied until after a considerable lapse of time. Most indigenous 

 species thrive almost equally well on ordinary soils for a 

 series of years, while those unsuited for a particular locality 

 commence falling off only after perhaps 20, 30 or even more 

 years. 



The fall success of a species depends on many things, 

 amongst which the following deserve special attention : — 



(1.) Suitability for the objects of management. 



(2.) Adaptability to the desired sylvicultural system. 



(8.) Exposure to damage by external causes. 



(4.) Suitability of species for the localit}'. 

 To which may be added. 



(").) Desirability, or otherwise, of a periodical change of 

 siiecies. 



