NATURAL REPRODUCTION. 31 



One thing, however, is necessary to ensure success, 

 and that is a careful selection of trees adapted to the 

 soil and site. We cannot, to secure this, do better 

 than follow Nature's plan, which is the natural repro- 

 duction of its own species. If the primaeval forests 

 are examined, it wift be found that cleared spaces 

 soon fill up by the growth and development of the 

 seeds deposited in the soil from the trees which have 

 been standing there. And when we consider that this 

 has been the case for an untold number of years, it 

 proves the capability of the soil to grow repeated crops 

 of a similar character ; it does not, however, prove 

 that the land is capable of supporting a growth of a 

 new character. Failure, therefore, may be expected, 

 and looked for, if we depart in our new planting from 

 this natural course. 



We do not, however, for one moment wish to 

 dogmatise on this point, as we know the rule is not 

 without exception ; and that trees of a different kind 

 will follow successfully a reaped crop. Nevertheless, 

 it behoves the forester to bear this in mind, and not 

 to be too sure, that the soil will second his efforts in 

 any vagarious departure from Nature's beaten track. 



