THE DOUGLAS FIR. 385 



c. Reprodiirtive Power. 



Little is known about this, beyond that the trees grown in 

 Britain produce seed freely, which has been used for rearing 

 the younger plantations. In its natural home it is said to 

 commence bearing seed when 10 years old. 



d. Character and Comjjosifion of Woods. 



Douglas fir, grown in crowded woods, produces a complete 

 cover overhead, and seems well adapted to be grown in pure 

 woods; as far as can be judged at present, it is likely to 

 maintain a complete leaf canopy to a sufficiently advanced age 

 to produce large sized timber. It is, however, liable to suffer 

 from storms in Britain ; at an}' rate the leading shoots are 

 always injured, unless the tree is grown in a thoroughly 

 sheltered position. 



Under these circumstances the best results W'ill probably be 

 obtained by mixing it with other species. As it stands a 

 moderate amount of shade and grows very rapidly, it should 

 be planted under or between larch or Scotch pine. The larch 

 may be planted pure, and when from. 15 to 30 years old it 

 should be strongly thinned, only healthy, vigorous trees being 

 left, and underplanted with Douglas fir. Care must be taken 

 to give to the Douglas fir sufficient light. The latter will 

 reach timber size at the same time as the larch. The Douglas 

 fir will shelter the soil between the larch, while the latter 

 will afford the necessary protection to the leading shoots of 

 the former. In this way the Douglas fir can be grown in 

 localities where it could not be successfully reared pure. At 

 the same time, under this treatment, very high returns may 

 be expected. 



The mixture of Scotch pine and Douglas fir ma}' be an^anged 

 in the same way ; but the underplanting may be postponed 

 for another 10 years, and the Scotch pine must be less 

 numerous than in the case of the larch. 



