68 Characteristics of Common Forest Trees 



Its place is taken in the more northerly countries by the 

 Norway maple. 



Soil. It is quite hardy as regards winter frosts. The soil must 

 be of at least medium quality, fresh and porous ; it is more particular 

 than the Norway maple in this respect. 



Nursery treatment. The seed requires careful treatment during 

 the winter, or it is apt to lose its vitality. The best way is to place 

 it in a trench in the ground mixed with sand. The seed should be 

 carefully watched, and sown as soon as the first signs of germination 

 appear. The seedlings should be lined out when one year old. 



Subsequent management. The sycamore is usually found in 

 groups throughout woods composed of other species. 



Pruning may be done, as the timber is valuable if the stems 

 are large and clean. The best period for pruning is July, as the 

 wounds caused by the operation "bleed" less when made at this 

 period. 



The coppice shoots are weak, and high forest is the only 

 system which is to be advocated. 



12. Willow 1 (Salix). 



There are many species. In every case, the willow is propa- 

 gated by means of cuttings taken from one-year-old shoots and 

 inserted in the ground during early spring. 



Some species are merely a few inches high ; while, on the other 

 hand, the " white" willow and the "crack" willow attain a consider- 

 able size. These species are usually found on river banks ; and the 

 soil should be deep and fresh. The growth is rapid, and the white 

 willow is often "topped" or "pollarded" at a few feet from the 

 ground, the resulting shoots being cut periodically for pea-sticks, etc. 



A variety of the white willow is used in the manufacture of 

 cricket bats, and is most profitable under suitable conditions of 

 growth. 



i The species, variations and crosses of the Poplars and Willows are 

 innumerable, and critical details of these are far beyond the -scope of this work. 

 Of other genera, many species have been omitted, as their inclusion would have 

 rendered the work too voluminous. 



