METHOD OF FOR:\rATION. 293 



is much smaller, and the whole management can be more 

 regular and safer than in the case of high forest. On the 

 other hand, coppice gives smaller quantities and lower quality, 

 except in special cases, as for instance where tanning bark, 

 hop-poles, or vine-stakes are produced. Until comparatively 

 recent times, coppice woods paid very well, but, owing to the 

 fall in prices of late years, this is no longer the case in 

 Europe; in fact, special cases excepted, they will have to be 

 converted into high forest. 



Pollarding gives frequently fair returns, and it can be 

 carried on in conjunction with agriculture. 



Coppice icitli standards holds an intermediate position 

 l)etween high forest and coppice woods as regards the pre- 

 servation of the quality of locality and the capital value of 

 the growing stock. The comparatively free-growing standards 

 reach a certain diameter in a shorter time than trees in high 

 forest ; on the other hand, the stems are shorter and less 

 clean than in regular high forest, and they are more subject 

 to frost cracks and scorching of the bark. The yield is smaller 

 than in high forest, but larger than in coppice ; financially, it 

 generally holds a position between the two. 



3. Method of Formation. 



This depends chiefly on the sylvicultural system, the species 

 and the nature of the locality. 



Natural regeneration is cheaper in itself, and, if successful, 

 leads to fully stocked young woods ; but, in the case of high 

 forest, seed-years do not always come, when they are wanted, 

 so that a regular progress of the regeneration may be seriousl}- 

 disturbed ; the loss of time, and other accompanying disad- 

 vantages, may more than outweigh the smaller original outlay. 

 Natural regeneration must frequently be augmented by a certain 

 amount of planting or sowing. To conduct the process of natural 

 regeneration by seed demands the highest skill of the forester. 



Artificial regeneration generally accompanies the system of 

 clear cutting in high forest, but sowing and planting may also 



