EVEN AGED WOODS. 257 



The arrangement of the cuttings during the final stage 

 depends on the requirements of the new crop in the several 

 parts of the wood. Where conflicting interests present 

 themselves, those of greater importance must prevail. 



The trees to be left for the final cutting should belong to 

 the most wind firm species, to that which is most likely to 

 increase rapidly in size and value, and if possible to one with 

 a thin crown. 



The above remarks show that it is in many cases a difficult 

 task to guide successfully the process of refieneration in a 

 mixed w'ood ; hence a method should be chosen which reduces 

 the difficulties to a minimum. With this end in view the 

 several species may be brought together in groups, each of 

 which can be treated in the manner best adapted to the par- 

 ticular species. If this should be found insufficient, the 

 following method must be adopted : — 



(I. Natural Rfgeiwralidii coinhiiied u Ith Sowiiiy and Plantiaij. 



Natural regeneration alone rarely leads to the desired result ; 

 only parts are successfully stocked, and sowing and planting 

 must step in to complete the business. In applying this 

 method it must be remembered that generally the more 

 favourable parts of the area become naturally stocked, 

 leaving the inferior spots blank. If only the latter were 

 filled up by sowing or planting the species which is deficient 

 in the naturally regenerated patches, it would be relegated to 

 the bad spots, while the other species would occupy the better 

 parts ; hence it is necessary to plant a proper number of the 

 artificially reproduced species also within the patches already 

 naturally regenerated. 



This method is much used in Europe in the formation of 

 mixed woods of beech with oak, ash, sycamore, and other 

 valuable timber trees. In fact it is the best method for such 

 mixtures. The valuable species are generally introduced by 

 putting in strong plants ; sowings are also done in the case of 



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