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CHAPTER I. 



PROTECTION AGAINST FOREST WEEDS. 

 Section L — General Account. 



1. Definition of the term Forest Weed. 



The term forest weed usually comprises wild plants, which 

 by their vigorous growth in masses more or less retard the 

 development of young forest plants. By extending the 

 meaning of the term, shrubs, and even many otherwise useful 

 trees, may be included, which when young injure the growth 

 of the principal local forest species. When, for instance, 

 sallows or aspens sprin'g up in large numbers in beechwoods, 

 or birches among conifers, or even the hardy and fruitful 

 hornbeam in the pole stage competes too freely with beech, 

 it becomes necessary to remove these inferior species in 

 cleanings. More detail on this point is given in sylviculture ; 

 it may, however, be noted here that the most numerous and 

 dangerous forest weeds are woody plants of more or less rapid 

 height-growth, the most bushy ones, and those producing root- 

 suckers being the worst. In Burmese teak forests, bamboos 

 which grow to heights of fifty feet and more within a few 

 weeks, may render teak reproduction impossible, until the 

 bamboos seed gregariously and die, or are killed by fires. 



2. Classification of Forest Weeds. 



In classifying forest weeds, the forester should be guided by 

 the following points : — 

 • (a) Structure of the stem. 



(b) Duration of life of the weed. 



(c) Local occurrence. 



{d) Preference for any particular soil. 

 (e) Amount of mineral matter in its ash. 

 (/) Demands as regards light and sliade. 



