THE ART OF THE SECOND GROWTH 



is not so many-sided as that of the high forest, and for that reason 

 not so sure to find a ready market. 



On the other hand, allowing of shorter rotations, the timber 

 investment is much smaller than in the seed forest, and the returns 

 from " final yields " are more frequent. 



A comparatively small area may produce, under a coppice form, 

 a regular sustained yield. 



The soil of the forest is frequently exposed, and shows a thin 

 layer of humus. Shallow soil is, however, sufficient for the welfare 

 of a sprout forest. 



The water-retaining capacity of the sprout forest is small. 



The sprout forest is less exposed to storm, fire, snow and 

 insects (being broad-leafed usually), and more exposed to late and 

 early frosts than the seed forest. As a stock pasture, it is more 

 productive than the seed forest; but also more damaged by 

 pasture. 



The expense of regeneration and of pedagogie is slight. The 

 species forming shoots from below tlie ground and those forming 

 root-suckers allow of long rotations usually. 



Paragraph LXXII. Sprout forests by species. 



A. Oaks: 



I. Culled Oak coppice: 



Culled Oak coppice is usually fire-culled. The stumps do not 

 relax and do not refuse to produce new shoots after continuous 

 firing. Still, the shoots become weak, stunted and bushy-crowned, 

 and soon refuse to grow in diameter as well as in height. 



It is remarkable to find that these worthless shoots may be 

 replaced by strong sprouts after coppicing with the axe. 



The poorer the fire-culled Oak coppice, the greater is the im- 

 provement obtainable by axe-coppicing. 



II. Cultured Oak Coppice: 



In Europe, Oak coppice h the form in which Oak bark is raised 

 for tanning purposes, under a rotation of fifteen to twenty-five 

 years. 



In America, coppiced Oak is used only for charcoal and fire- 

 wood, — rarely for railroad ties. Rotations yielding ties will not 

 allow of a ready reproduction under the coppice form, unless the 

 soil is verj' strong. 



At Biltmore, Post Oak three inches through. White Oak ten 

 180 



