196 NATURAL REGENERATION 



Group System: 

 Merits 



(1) There is a greater amount of protection to the young 



crop and a maximum amount of moisture. 



(2) Soil deterioration is not so rapid. 



(3) It is the most suitable system for dry soils. 



(4) Side light and wind are excluded from the felled area. 



(5) There is a greater likelihood of success in the case of 



shade-bearing conifers. 

 Demerits 



(1) Operations are scattered ; therefore expenses are 



increased. 



(2) The older trees on the windward side of prevailing 



winds are liable to be thrown unless the groups are 

 very small. 



Selection System : 

 Merits 



(i) There is a maximum amount of protection to the soil 

 and young crop from wind and sun ; therefore it is 

 advantageous in exposed localities. 

 Demerits 



(1) Operations are very scattered. 



(2) It produces the least amount of timber of high technical 



quality; though the total production is about the 

 same as under the other two methods. 



(3) It is not generally suited for very dry soils ; though 



Beech on thin calcareous soils is an exception. 



The regeneration of Scots Pine and Corsican Pine from 

 neighbouring areas on to cleared strips, though the best 

 method to adopt for the natural regeneration of these light- 

 demanding trees, will not often give very uniform results, 

 and artificial aid must generally be given. Usually the 

 land quickly becomes covered with rank grass, and the soil 

 thus quickly deteriorates. 



But if only heather appeared, the result would usually be 

 satisfactory. 



