256 FORMATION OF MIXKl) WOODS. 



If an old wood exists, and a new mixed wood, consisting of 

 a tender and a hardy species, is to be created, tlie former may 

 be sown or planted alone under the shelter-wood ; llien, when 

 the shelter-wood is no longer required, it is removed, and the 

 second, hardy species planted in. This method is followed, 

 for instance, where beech is to be mixed with Scotch pine or 

 larch. 



If no old shelter-wood is available, then the hardy species 

 is cultivated first, and when it has advanced sufficiently to 

 provide the necessary shelter, the tender species is intro- 

 duced. In this way Scotch pine, larch and birch are planted 

 to serve as shelter- woods (nurses) for beech, silver fir, and oak. 



c. Xdiural Rcucncrdiiiin wider S/ielfer-troot/s. 



In regenerating a mixed wood it is of first importance that 

 the shelter-wood should be composed of trees of the several 

 species in such proportion as to secure the desired mixture in 

 the new crop. In determining that proportion the relative 

 reproductive power of the species must be taken into con- 

 sideration, more especially the size and quantity of the seeds, 

 the frequency of seed years, the height growth of the species 

 in early youth, and its capacity of bearing cover ; its degree of 

 hardiness, the nature of the germinating bed, vIvc, 



Already during the last thinnings the cuttings can be so 

 arranged as to lead to a proper proportion of the mother trees. 

 This process is continued, and if possible completed, during 

 the preparatory stage. Under any circumstances it must be 

 completed by the seeding cutting. 



In many cases a great difficulty arises from the fact that 

 the several species do not seed in the same year. In such 

 cases the seeding cutting must be made, when that species 

 seeds which is to form the Inilk of the new crop, or which is 

 the more difficult to rear ; the other species, if they have 

 not produced a sufficient proportion of seedlings beforehand, 

 or fail to do so within a few years afterwards, must receive 

 artificial assistance. 



