SYLVICULTURE. 



(7) Maturity and longevity vary greatly in our woodland 

 trees (up to more than 500 years for Oak and Chestnut) ; but 

 timber-crops reach their marketable or financial maturity at 

 a comparatively early age, and earlier on poor than on good soil, 

 varying from 35 to 50 years for softwoods, 40 to 70 for Conifers, 

 60 to 100 for most hardwoods, and 100 to 150 for Oak. Thus 

 two or three conifer crops may be taken for one of Oak ; and 



1 Many of these die off, and only a much smaller number is fit to line 

 out as transplants. 



2 Germination is hastened by soaking the seed in water-, but this makes 

 sowing more difficult and less even and regular. 



3 Also partly not till second year, especially if sown deep. 



