APPLICATION OF THE METHOD. 69 



while the young hornbeam succumbs under grass 

 and the superficial drying up of the soil. 



In case the oak seed-bearers of the reserve are 

 not sufficiently numerous, it is at the time of making 

 the primary cutting that it answers best to put out 

 about 400 small plants, not cut back, per acre ; 

 plants cut back would not be so effective, since stool 

 shoots do not come up readily under cover ; similarly, 

 to put them out among a self-sown crop of other 

 seedlings would be attended with the risk of seeing 

 them choked. 



When making the close cutting, the ground must 

 be cleared of all shrubs and brush wood with which it 

 may be overgrown ; so, too, the cover must be raised 

 by cutting away the lower branches of the reserves, 

 without, however, lopping oaks which are not yet 

 mature, and are destined to outlive the regeneration 

 cuttings. 



When a large seed crop of beech pre-exists on the 

 ground, and the oak seedlings are either wanting or 

 are completely overtopped by the beech, the latter 

 must be cut back under the cover of the close cutting, 

 in order that the oak may get ahead, as it has a less 

 rapid growth at the start. 



If while waiting for a year of seed, the crowns of 

 the reserves were to close up, forming again a con- 

 tinuous leaf-canopy, the state of things as left by the 

 close cutting must be re-established. 



The secondary cutting should often be made in two 

 distinct operations, and can never be suppressed with 

 impunity ; it is likewise the safest method of dimi- 

 nishing the effects of spring frosts, and of keeping up 

 the mixture of associated trees. 



