WORKING-PLAN. 131 



different methods and rotations, there may have to be separate 

 working-circles (broad-leaved and coniferous woods). It is also 

 useful to note in the column for remarks how a felling-series 

 should run (E. to W., &c.) so as to give the best protection 

 against wind, &c. The Quality of land should also be noted 

 for each crop, and the most useful way is to class it as I., II., or 

 III., good, medium, or poor, noting also its slope (gentle, 

 moderate, steep), its aspect or exposure, its elevation, and its 

 configuration. A Field-book has to be opened in which to 

 note these details, and also record the more particular descrip- 

 tion of each crop forming part of the growing-stock the kind 

 of wood, method of treatment, age, density and canopy, general 

 condition, cubic contents and rate of growth, being all duly 

 noted. The nearer the woods are to their maturity the more 

 important does it become to know their cubic contents and 

 their increment ; because it is preferable to make a fall in a 

 mature wood now growing slowly, than to cut down one that 

 is still in good growth. Where a really scientific working-plan 

 is desired, the estimate of the cubic contents and the current 

 increment of all maturing crops (as indicated on page 128) is 

 of particular importance, and more so than similar estimates 

 regarding younger and immature crops. Notes should also be 

 made concerning the best time of felling, and best method of 

 regenerating the mature crop and of tending the younger crops. 

 Where available, statistics should also be jotted down referring 

 to past yield, income from and price of timber, cost of planting, 

 &c. When this field - book has been completed for all the 

 crops, the working -plan or scheme of management can be 

 prepared. 



Having ascertained that the whole woodland area is con- 

 veniently subdivided into compartments, and having made the 

 necessary investigations into the various crops forming the 

 growing- stock, and into their rate of growth, the next thing 

 to be done is to ascertain the distribution of the relative Age- 



