42 ELEMENTS OF SYLVICULTURE. 



beech, for example, the latter frequently grows up 

 faster than the former, and in order to liberate the 

 crown of the oak without isolating it, it is better to 

 fell the highest beech in the immediate vicinity, and 

 to preserve those that are suppressed. 



The beech will not be placed at much disadvan 

 tage by this proceeding ; it is here only the companion 

 tree, and besides can well bear the light cover of the 

 oak. 



As may be gathered from what precedes, a thinning 

 is always a delicate operation and difficult of execution. 

 It requires unflagging attention and real practical 

 knowledge. Made at the right time and well carried 

 out, thinnings are in every way advantageous ; by 

 gradually setting free the more promising trees, a 

 healthier vegetation is promoted and a more thorough 

 lignincation of the wood ensured ; although well 

 stocked high forests do not yield as close-grained and 

 as tough a timber as that obtained from isolated 

 standards, nevertheless their timber is of medium 

 quality suited for almost every purpose. Now it 

 must not be forgotten that looking at all the timber 

 worked up in France, manufactures use up a much 

 larger quantity of wood than that required for 

 building purposes, and they do not want tough- 

 grained wood. 



Thinnings too allow us to effect a proportionate 

 distribution of trees in mixed crops according to our 

 wants. As they are made periodically, we can 

 always get rid of any one kind when it becomes 

 dangerous or when it has attained its maximum of 

 utility. In this manner we shall avoid rooting out 



