120 COMPOSITION OF FOKEST CBOPS. 



SECTION. Ill 



Composition of forests grown exclusively or principally 

 for purposes of protection. 



In such forests we require in an essential manner the most 

 effective living vegetable covering or barrier ; and, if in addition 

 to this, we also obtain, wherever possible, a large and useful pro- 

 duction, so much the better. 



To secure the first object, we must have the following condi- 

 tions : 



(i) The forest should be composed of the most suitable species 

 for the given soil and climate : This is the first condition discussed 

 in the preceding Section. 



(\\) The forest should consist of the greatest number of stems 

 possible at any given stage of growth: This too has been already 

 discussed in the preceding Section as Condition (ii). 



(iii) The leaf-canopy should be as full and as deep and near the 

 ground as possible. This end will be attained by a mixture of 

 various ages, and still better by a mixture of ages and species. 



(iv) We must have continued protection and improvement of the 

 soil until its maximum fertility is reached, and thenceforward the 

 constant maintenance of that maximum. This condition also has 

 been fully considered under the same number in the preceding 

 Section. 



(v) The trees should afford each other mutual security against 

 all extraneous accidents. This is only a slightly modified form of 

 Condition (v) of the preceding Section. 



If in addition to the above conditions, the trees acquire the 

 greatest length of bole attainable (Condition iii of preceding Sec- 

 tion), are all marketable (Condition vii of preceding Section), 

 yield minor produce besides wood (Condition vi of preceding Sec- 

 tion), furnish long, clean and well-shaped timber (Condition ix of 

 preceding Section) and belong to various species (Condition viii of 

 preceding Section) the forest, besides fulfilling in the most com- 

 plete manner its special and original role of affording protection, 

 will also furnish a large quantity of useful produce. 



SECTION IV. 

 Composition of forests grown in conjunction with field crops. 



The combination may take place in two ways thus : (A) a field 

 crop raised as soon as the forest has been cut back for coppice (the 

 dhaya system of cultivation as it has been practised from times 



