APPLICATION OF THE METHOD. 61 



same object is to be aimed at in succeeding thinnings, 

 and in the end we shall have high-boled oaks, with 

 an amply developed crown and a trunk of consider- 

 able girth. Naturally the beech thus preserved will 

 suffer to some extent, in spite of the light cover of 

 the oak ; but, thanks to its constitution, they will still 

 manage to exist, and the future seed bearers will be 

 found among those trees that have normally 

 developed in the intervals between the oak. 



It is perhaps as well to remark that in crops, 

 which have already entered at least the high pole 

 stage, the greater part of the evil has been already 

 effected, and it becomes almost impossible to bring 

 back the oak into favourable conditions of growth. 



As regards the nature of the thinnings the general 

 prescriptions laid down must be followed, that is to 

 say, the first thinning must be made moderate except 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of the oaks, whose 

 crowns will be set quite free after the manner of a 

 cleaning, and the succeeding thinnings, when the 

 crop consists of high poles, will, while opening out 

 the crop rather more freely, never be severe. For 

 with these precautions the thinnings, which will be 

 of a medium character over the whole crop generally, 

 will have all the effect of a severe thinning for the 

 oak. At the same time the soil will remain 

 thoroughly protected and will constantly improve 

 in quality. 



IV. TEEATMENT OF HIGH FOEEST OF OAK AND 

 HOENBEAM MIXED. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE MIXTUEE. The hornbeam 

 is not of sufficient importance to be grown in high 



