XVIII 



SPACING THE TREES IN THE FOREST 



IN order to secure an even stand with all the ground 

 covered to the best advantage, whereby it will produce the 

 greatest possible yield, the trees should be planted equidis- 

 tant, thus giving each tree its due share of moisture, food, 

 and light. As there must be a large part of the planted 

 stand removed from time to time in order to allow the best 

 development of the trees which are to compose the mature 

 forest, the spacing should be such that each one will, as 

 far as practicable, at all times be left its share of ground. 

 Absolute accuracy is not essential, nor can it always be se- 

 cured except at unnecessary expense, as local conditions 

 may make it difficult ; but where conditions will permit it 

 should be approximately reached. If practicable the most 

 satisfactory spacing is reached by the quincunx form ; that 

 is, to set the trees in each row opposite the spaces in the 

 adjacent rows ; but there is little ground which should be 

 devoted to tree-planting where there are not obstacles of 

 some sort which will prevent the adoption of this or any 

 exact method. Where it is practicable lines may be set out 

 in some way and the trees placed in regular rows opposite 

 each other, or those in one row opposite the space in the 

 adjoining row, so that each will be given its proper pro- 

 portion of space, and probably the result will be nearly as 

 well one way as the other. In many places the distance the 

 trees are to be placed apart can, for all practicable pur- 

 poses, be arrived at by stepping. With a little practice and 

 care a man can soon accustom himself to step any short 

 distance accurately enough to plant trees in the forest, 

 where a few inches, one way or the other, will not matter ; 

 while on stony, stumpy, or rough ground he must select 



