108 PROTECTION OF WOODLANDS. 



with 1 Ib. of red-lead, costing about 6d., at least six pounds of seed 

 can be prepared. Tying threads or twine across the beds, with 

 white feathers knotted into them, is also serviceable, whereas 

 scarecrows of different sorts are only of little temporary use. \ 

 Watching of the seed-beds, which can only be carried out 

 profitably in large nurseries, may be dispensed with by adopting 

 one or other of the above methods recommended. 



Against Crossbills there is no simple effective measure available, 

 but fortunately such would only occasionally be required. 



C. INSECTS (Insecta). 

 57. General Remarks concerning Insects. 



Under Forest Insects, or injurious Forest Insects, are not comprised 

 all insects that may be found living on woodland trees, but only 

 such as, occurring more or less frequently in large numbers, damage 

 and endanger the growth of timber crops. 



The disadvantages that may accrue to woodlands through insects 

 are as manifold as their consequences are frequently injurious^ 

 By their attacks, both young crops and trees are disturbed in 

 growth, and even killed ; loss of increment, the formation of blanks, 

 and sometimes the total destruction of extensive crops are the 

 results, whilst young seedling growth and plantations may be more 

 or less damaged, thereby occasioning and necessitating labour 

 and outlay in the re-filling of blanks, and in other works of 

 improvement. Insects that are technically injurious eat into the 

 stem and decrease the value of the timber by rendering it useless 

 for technical purposes ; and at the same time, the glutting of the 

 market with timber of any one species, after extensive destruction 

 of woods by insect enemies, not only reduces the prices obtainable, 

 but frequently also precludes the possibility of finding a market 

 for the smaller assortments, consisting of poles, top-ends, and the 

 like. Preventive and annihilative measures may make very la rue 

 direct demands on the purse of the woodland proprietor; and as 

 it is often necessary to let the falls lie fallow for years, in order to 

 get rid of the swarms of beetles that have taken possession of the 

 soil, the loss of several years' growth of timber on such vacant 

 land, and the possible deterioration of the soil, are also indirect con- 

 sequences attributable to these insects. The struggle in suppres- 

 sing these little enemies is, at the same time, very troublesome 



