330 NOTES ON HKITISH FoUKST TKE1-«S. 



reproduce well by stem shoots. Trees upwards of 40 years 

 old when cut over still reproduce well from the stool. 



/. ( linruitcr ami Comi>osilion of Woods. 



VA\\\ is not well suited for pure woods. It does much better 

 mixed with beech and hornbeam ; it is also grown with oak, 

 ash, alder, and others, not unfrequently in coppice with 

 standards. It holds its own against these species, except 

 beech, which may outgrow it during the second half of life. 

 If pure, elm should be underplanted like oak. 



//. Si/lririilhirdl Sijsfcms. 

 High forest, standards in coppice, coppice, and pollards. 



//. Fornuilinn of Woods. 



The elm is generally planted ; the plants are either raised 

 from seed, or they consist of suckers or layers. As the seed 

 of the common elm does not ripen in Britain, it is generally 

 propagated in the latter way in this country. 



The seed ripens in May to June and falls almost immedi- 

 ately ; it keeps its germinating power only for a short time, 

 and must be sown at once. If 80 per cent, germinate, it is 

 considered good seed. There are about 60,000 seeds to the 

 pound. In nurseries the seed is best sown broadcast and very 

 slightly covered with fine earth, one-tenth of an inch being 

 sufficient ; it germinates after 2 — 3 weeks. The seedlings 

 may be placed in nursery lines in the following spring, and 

 they are fit to be put out after another year, though they 

 frequently remain longer in the nursery. 



The methods of obtaining layers and suckers have been 

 shortly indicated on page 221. 



i. Tnidinii. 



The elm, being hardy and grown mixed with other species, 

 does not recpiire nnu-li tending. Cattle and deer do damage 

 by itrowsing, but llie damage is quickly healed. Insects and 



