62 PRACTICAL FORESTRY. 



If this is not done, and the trees are planted as they 

 come, the strong and robust overpower the weak, and 

 there is from the beginning irregularity, which, as 

 before stated, leads to disappointment. Plantations 

 well managed should present in their early stages an 

 even top, like a field of corn. 



Indirectly distance affects the initial expenditure, 

 both with regard to the number of trees required and 

 the extra labour incurred in planting them ; but no 

 true forester will permit this to influence his judg- 

 ment. Nevertheless, it is by no means a mean factor 

 when other circumstances are unimportant. For in- 

 stance, if a distance of 3 feet is decided upon instead 

 of 4 feet, 2,000 more trees per acre will be required, 

 and, of course, 2,000 more holes. Therefore, if there 

 is no demand for small wood, and the intention is to 

 grow timber, there is a manifest waste. 



We have endeavoured in this section to draw atten- 

 tion to the necessity of giving full consideration to the 

 subject of distance and distribution before commenc- 

 ing large planting operations. When a large expendi- 

 ture is absolutely necessary to secure the most trifling 

 results, it is clear that too much care cannot be ex- 

 ercised to bring about a maximum of success. 



It is, of course, clearly understood that our remarks 

 apply to plantations only, and not to established woods. 

 In the latter we have to deal with natural reproduc- 

 tion, and we must adapt our arrangement to local cir- 

 cumstances, only indeavouring to induce Nature to 

 fulfil artificial demands. 



