v- 



68 PROTECTION OF WOODLANDS. 



the species in larger quantity. So far as the chemical com- 

 position of the soil is concerned, the conclusions deducible are 

 much less reliable, as the number of plants among the true 

 forest weeds, which are constant on certain kinds of soil, that is, 

 which only occur on soils possessing certain mineral constituents, 

 is comparatively limited. The number of plants, however, 

 which show a distinct and decided preference for certain mineral 

 classes of soil, is already much greater ; whilst most numerous of 

 all are the indiscriminating, easily satisfied genera and species 

 whose occurrence and thriving are more intimately connected 

 with the physical properties of the soil, than determinable by its 

 chemical composition. 



39. Preventive and Exterminative Measures. 



The prevention of the occurrence of forest weeds in such large 

 quantities as to be productive of injurious consequences is best 

 effected by avoiding, so far as possible, the conditions most favour- 

 able to their growth and thriving. Careful maintenance of closed 

 canopy, and of the layer of dead foliage and moss on the soil, 

 stoppage of the removal of the dead leaves for litter or manure, 

 which invariably ultimately leads to gradual deficiency of the 

 coronal foliage of the timber crops, cautious and gradual natural 

 reproduction, conducted with all the more prudence wherever th( 

 soil is strong and fresh, and therefore more apt to become ovei 

 grown with grass and weeds, and finally, early drainage of 

 that are too damp, and therefore likely to get covered with rani 

 grass, are the chief means of obviating danger from weeds. Bi 

 wherever any circumstances may have prevented the hindrance of tl 

 first appearance of weeds, the Sylvicultural measures at our dis] 

 to give the young crops the greatest advantages in the competitic 

 with the weeds that make their appearance one after the otht 

 and to prevent or minimise as much as possible any damage tl 

 may be done by the latter, consist mainly in the preference 

 planting instead of sowing, in the choice of sturdy transplants 

 place of small seedlings, and in the immediate re-wooding of 

 from which the mature crop has been cleared. 



Not infrequently, however, the weeds or grasses may have already 

 taken possession of the areas to be planted up, or else they 

 once make their appearance in threatening nnmbers as soon 



