CHOICE OF TREES. 115 



probably on the whole the most profitable, and especially when 

 there is a good market for early thinnings. And highwoods 

 are the only form of crop in which Pine, Larch, Firs, and other 

 Conifers can be grown, which usually in Britain will prove the 

 most profitable trees to grow. 



The simplest form of highwood is where the whole area is 

 regularly divided into annual falls, the oldest being cleared 

 year by year, and a new crop formed by planting as is usual 

 with Larch, Pine, and Firs ; but with Beech and Silver Fir it 

 is common to comprise several annual falls within a periodic 

 fall, and to clear the mature seed-bearing trees gradually from 

 the area whilst a young crop is being naturally regenerated from 

 the seed they shed. In some cases a few of the best trees are 

 retained till greater size is reached, but this practice has several 

 disadvantages. 



Woods intended mainly for ornament, shelter, or game- 

 preserving, are cut casually or sporadically, when the various 

 age-classes are scattered irregularly over the whole area; but 

 in such cases the mature trees are usually more branching and 

 of less commercial value than when the woods are maintained 

 in fairly close canopy. 



As regards the Selection of Trees likely to form the most 

 suitable and profitable crops in any given locality, consideration 

 must be given (1) to the Soil, according to its nature, depth, 

 and other physical properties, natural drainage, &c. ; (2) to 

 the Situation as regards aspect, elevation, configuration of its 

 surroundings, shelter from gales, &c. ; and (3) to Facilities for 

 Extraction and the Local Market probably obtainable, both for 

 thinnings and for mature timber. These and similar considera- 

 tions will also mainly determine what seems likely to be the 

 most profitable rotation ; and when once the special kinds of 

 crops and their rotations have been fixed on, this practically 

 roughly indicates the general scheme of management that will 

 have to be adopted ; but the most profitable rotation is that 



