REGENERATION BY SHOOTS AND SUCKERS. 251 



ircumstances for some time beyond it. Hence the wood must 

 be cut over for ihe first time at a period not lieyond the end 

 of the principal height growth. After that, the rotation 

 depends on the required description of material (firewood, 

 hop poles, bark of a certain quality, etc.), and the time up to 

 which the stools are capable of vigorous reproduction. 



The increment of coppice woods is also greatest during the 

 first few' 5'ears after cutting, which may be another reason for 

 the adoption of short rotations. On the other hand, small 

 material has of late years so much sunk in price, that the 

 w^oods are frequently allowed to grow until they are capable of 

 yielding small timber. 



c. SoiinilDOKs nf Sfodh. 



Diseased stools often produce diseased shoots, though some 

 species, as oak and hornbeam, are usually exempt from this 

 liability ; tlie same holds good in the case of suckers. It 

 follows that diseased stools should be removed and replaced 

 by strong plants to produce fresh and sound stools. 



The longevity of the stools is closely connected with their 

 health, which is principally governed by the species and the 

 character of the locality. A fertile soil and favoural)le climate 

 increase the longevity. The stools of ash, maple, birch, and 

 also those of beech, are short-lived, lasting frequently not 

 longer than two or three rotations ; those of oak and horn- 

 beam are almost indestructible, and between these extremes 

 many intermediate stages exist. 



d. Man tier of Vtdfiinj. 



The cut produced by the removal of the stem is exposed to 

 the effects of air, moisture and sun, which cause a deteriora- 

 tion of the wood near the cut through drying up and rot, and 

 tend to reduce the reproductive power of the stool. 



Although this process of deterioration cannot altogether be 

 prevented, its extent and rapidity can be reduced by careful 

 cutting. In the first place the size of the cut should not be 



