AMONG THE OAKS 113 



the earlier thinnings, but if not, then much can 

 be done for the formation of underwood at a 

 cheap rate by sowing and dibbling seed on well- 

 hoed patches, and by layering stool-shoots or 

 seedlings found growing on the area. 



When once underwood has been formed, the 

 future treatment of the crop as it now exists 

 must of course depend mainly on local conditions 

 connected with the market for timber. In fact, it 

 is almost superfluous to remark that all the argu- 

 ments which can be adduced in favour of better 

 treatment of our woodlands are absolutely worth- 

 less unless such change will be remunerative. If 

 woods are to be treated on business principles, 

 then the treatment must really depend most of 

 all on the market for timber or other wood. 

 It is only when once a remunerative market is 

 ensured that advantage is to be found in improved 

 methods of Forestry. Such underwood as above 

 can either be worked as coppice, or it can be 

 allowed to grow up into larger poles to be 

 harvested when it is desired to reap the crop 

 of oak timber. 



Oak woods treated thus may usually be ex- 

 pected to attain their most profitable age, i.e. 



