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('RAPTKK III. 



TENDING OF OPEN WOODS FOR THE PRODUCTION 

 OF LARGE TIMBER. 



1. Thr Theori/. 



In the foregoing chapter it lias been shown how thinnings 

 should he conducted, if the principal part of a wood — the 

 dominating trees — are to be given increased space and enjoy- 

 ment of light, followed by increased increment, without, how- 

 ever, interrupting the leaf canopy to such an extent as to 

 affect injuriously the continued activity of the soil. Under 

 this method of treatment the one aim acts antagonistically to 

 the other, and it is by no meanf^ easy to conciliate the two 

 interests. Hence the problem presents itself, whether the 

 better portion of the dominating trees cannot be more com- 

 pletely isolated, while the soil is protected by other means. 

 There are other considerations whicli press the subject upon 

 the attention of the forester. Under the ordinary system, as 

 described above, the production of large sized timber demands 

 a higli rotation, and any measures which tend to reduce tlie 

 latter must be welcome. Experience has shown that by 

 isolating the trees, timber of a certain size can be produced in 

 little more than half the time required under tlie method of 

 continuously crowded woods. 



Anotiier point is, that man}', and more especially the light 

 demanding, species have a natural tendency to open out, or to 

 form large crowns. 



It is of additional importance that under a system of heavy 

 thiimings, considerably larger intermediate yields are obtained 

 early in the rotation. This, in conjunction with the more 

 rapid development of the trees constituting llic liiial cio]). 

 leads to more favourable Ihiancial results. 



