THE ASH. 337 



only. In such mixtures it generally holds its own against the 

 other species. A mixture of ash and larch is undesirable. 



//. SijlvicuJlural Systems. 



Ash is treated as high forest, coppice, pollards, and as 

 standards in coppice. If found pure in high forest, it requires 

 underplanting, like the oak, best with beech. 



li. Formation of Woods. 



Ash woods are generally formed by planting, rarely by 

 direct sowing, sometimes by natural regeneration. 



The seed ripens in October and falls during winter until 

 spring ; it retains its germinating power up to three years. 

 Of good seed 65 per cent, should germinate. About 6,500 

 clean seeds go to the pound. 



The seed germinates in the second spring, and should be 

 treated like that of hornbeam (page 318). 



For direct sowings about 35 pounds of seed per acre are 

 required. The seed should receive a covering of about three- 

 quarters of an inch. 



In nurseries the seed is generally sown in drills about 

 March or April of the second year, after it has been lying 

 imbedded in sand for 16 or 17 months ; the seedlings will be 

 ready for pricking out in the following spring, and they may 

 remain one, two, or more years in the nursery lines, according 

 to the required class of plants. It may be mentioned that the 

 development of a suitable crown and stem can be regulated at 

 this period, by removing unnecessary buds and young shoots. 

 Ash is usually planted in pits. 



/. Tending. 



Young plants are very liable to suffer from late and early 

 frosts, hence some shelter is useful ; this, however, must not 

 be heavy, as the ash is light demanding. They suffer much 

 from browsing by cattle and deer, unless protected l)y a fence. 

 Deer, rabbits and mice also peel the stem. 



