188 DISEASES OF THE BEECH, COTTONWOOD, AND OAK. 



return again from total clearing to the practice of partial clearing, in 

 order th:it the young plants may be protected by tlie standing trees, and 

 thus recei%-e the necessary protection from the direct rays of the sun. 



In the cultivation of large cleared areas, the necessary shading «m 

 be secured by previously planting such trees as the soil is particularly 

 well adapted to produce, such as birch, &c., or of spruce plants in suf- 

 ficient number. In cases, however, where, from local circumstances, this 

 latter method is not practicable, yearling plants with well-developed 

 roots should be set out; but the two former methods are best calculate 

 to lead to good results. In southerly aspects, more attention should be 

 I)aid to this necessary protection than in places with a northerly expo- 

 sure. As a general rule, it may be remarked that everything tending 

 to obstruct the full development of the roots, as, for example, thick 

 seeding, or heavy compjict soils, is injurious to the fibers of the root, 

 and must be carefully avoided. One or the other of the above means, 

 have already found application in the prevention of the disease in ques- 

 tion, and while practical experience has been pointing toward them, 

 every thinking forester ciin, with the aid of the above suggestions, 

 decide for himself which is the most practicable method of pine culture. 



DYING OUT OF THE BEECH. 



For several years past, in the forest of Aulnay, France, the beech 

 trees have been perishing in plantations fifty to sixty years old, so rap- 

 idly and in such quantities that they could not be worked up in time to 

 be of value. After having dried up standing, they are overthrown by 

 the winds, and rot upon the ground. Many of the trees that have 

 hitherto flourished, show unmistakable signs of death, and serious ap- 

 prehensions are felt in regard to forests where this is the prevailing 

 timber. Careful investigations tend to show that in plantations made 

 too close, and left in this condition too long, the soil becomes too much 

 exhausted, and that having taken up all the elements that can be 

 assimilated, they perish for want of more ; or, becoming enfeebled in a 

 dry season, fall a prey to insects, which trees in vigorous health would 

 easily resist. A series of chemical anal.yses made in a study of this ca^e 

 tends to prove the chemical conditions that have caused the destruction 

 of the beech trees as above mentioned.^ 



FUNGUS ON COTTONWOOD. 



The " Poplar brand," or Melampsora populina^ has done much injury 

 to the cottonwoods of the West, especially in Iowa. It appears as au 

 orange yellow dust on the under side of tlje leaves, which by impairing 

 the 1 unctions injures the growth of the trees. No effectual remedy has 

 been found. 



STAG-HOEN TOPS. 



With a damp subsoil, or want of nourishment, trees will sometimes 

 die at the top, presenting in their dry branches an appearance that 

 gives them the name " stag-horn tops." Drainage will prevent this in 

 some cases, and fertilizing in others. In some species these trees may be 

 made pollards with advantage, but never with great benefit. If the soil 

 has done all it is capable of, we can expect nothing more, as we have 

 required too much. 



If want of drainage was the cause, the dead tops should be carefully 

 removed; when, with dryness, the tree may acquire a more healthy 

 growth. 



' Eevm des Eaux et Forets, 1874, pp. 357-362. 



