DIRECTLY FOSTERING VEGETATION OP YOtJNO CROP. 4G3 



the highest edge of the forest. In the mixed crop, besides main- 

 taining a protective screen, every effort should be made to obtain 

 a sufficient and evenly-distributed proportion of individuals of one 

 or more hardy and quick-growing species, which should be allowed 

 to just keep ahead of their delicate neighbours. 



WEEDS AND G.KASS. On rich, moist soils, young seedlings, par- 

 ticularly of species which are naturally slow in establishing them- 

 selves, are kept back for long years by weeds and especially grass. 

 In some soils and climates, low shrubby species become even more 

 dangerous than grass, since their root-system is stronger and their 

 crowns more spreading and invasive. In all. such cases, if the 

 money and labour are available, the noxious vegetation should be 

 got rid of to a sufficient extent to enable the seedlings to shoot 

 ahead rapidly and close over the ground, thereby suppressing their 

 enemies. It will generally be found most convenient and econo- 

 mical to clear out by the roots all this harmful growth along 

 narrow parallel strips from 6 ta 10 feet apart, wherever the seed- 

 lings have no fair chance of making headway. 



INSECTS AND PAEASITES. As regards monkeys and destructive 

 quadrupeds^ they must either be destroyed or their numbers kept 

 within bounds. Against insects we have only the following prac- 

 ticable remedies : mixture of species, associating a sufficient 

 number of broad-leaved trees with conifers, maintaining the leaf- 

 canopy as close as economical and sylvicultural considerations will 

 allow, keeping the soil and forest free of dead and dying trees and 

 dead wood, encouraging every insectivorous creature that is not 

 otherwise harmful, and securing by every means in our power a 

 healthy and vigorous growth. In the case of fungus attacks very 

 prompt measures are necessary. The trees attacked should be ab 

 once felled and burnt ; and, if necessary, the soil in which they 

 stood should be isolated by means of a deep circular trench. 

 Flowering parasites, like Loranthus, figs, &c., are easily overcome 

 in the regular fellings,, which should remove trees infested by them. 

 If these trees are too numerous to be all felled together, the worst 

 cases should be got rid of first, and the expurgatory operations 

 repeated as frequently as possible until the forest has been practi- 

 cally cleared of the pest.. 



ARTICLE 3. 



DIRECTLY FOSTERING THE GROWTH OF THE CROP. 

 When the young crop is too dense or too open or is interspersed 



