THE COMPARTMENT SYSTEM. 227 



these and other drawl^acks, which require to he more fully 

 explained. 



i. Preparation of a Suitable Seed Bed. 



The soil must he hrought into a condition which ensures a 

 proper germination of the seed, and enahles the seedlings to 

 reach the mineral soil with their rootlets within a reasonable 

 time ; it must be suitably porous and moist. The necessary 

 measures to ensure this depend on the condition of the wood, 

 and on the nature of the locality. 



In the course of a rotation crowded woods produce con- 

 siderable quantities of humus, which decomposes at a quicker 

 or slower rate according to species and other circumstances. 

 Where, on approaching the period of regeneration, the layer 

 of humus and leaves is so thick that seedlings cannot reach 

 the mineral soil w^ithin a few weeks after germination, it must 

 be reduced before regeneration is attempted. This is done by 

 removing some of the trees, and thus admitting the sun's rays 

 and a more active circulation of air, which cause an accele- 

 rated decomposition of the humus. The severity of the cutting 

 depends on the original density of the leaf canopy ; dark cover 

 overhead demands a heavy cutting, a thin cover a light cutting 

 or none at all. It also depends on the nature of the soil ; 

 over limestone the humus decomposes rapidly, on cold heavy 

 soil slowly. Again, the leaves of some trees decompose more 

 rapidly than those of others. 



Situation and the local climate must also be considered. 

 Where the degree of moisture in the soil and the air is high, 

 decomposition proceeds at a slow rate ; such localities are 

 high situations, northern aspects, moist valleys, the shores of 

 lakes and the sea. In all such cases the preparatory cuttings 

 must be comparatively heavy. 



On the other hand, in localities which are liable to be 

 overrun by a heavy crop of grass or weeds, the cuttings must 

 be light, or else the young seedlings will be choked. 



Generally, the most suitable condition for germination has 

 been reached when the covering of the soil has been so far 



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