APPLICATION OF THE METHOD. 71 



oak seedlings are abundant enough, and they possess 

 only a slight value as compared to these reserves, for 

 while the realization of the former is a question of a 

 far distant future, the latter will be fit to fell in 

 thirty, forty, or fifty years, by which time the want 

 of large oak timber is sure to be generally felt. 



It is a mistake to suppose that these reserves are 

 bound to decay. Is it not a fact that many reserves 

 resulting from the method known as " tire et aire " 

 (see infra) have survived and prospered, though 

 no care whatever was taken of them? A much 

 stronger reason have we then for expecting a similar 

 result with the reserves in question, if we only pre- 

 pare them for isolation from the commencement and 

 prune off the epicormic branches once or twice, 

 as may be necessary, before they grow too large ; 

 besides, those that show signs of decay can always 

 be felled. 



Simultaneously with the final cutting a clean- 

 ing may become necessary, to get rid of the 

 shoots from old stools, soft woods in case they are 

 too numerous, and any beeches that may chance to 

 overtop healthy and well situated oaks ; if birch does 

 not form a complete upper story, it is useful rather 

 than injurious, and in any case it must only be got 

 rid of by degrees, after a previous isolation. 



Eegeneration obtained within an interval of twenty 

 to twenty-five years between the primary and final 

 cuttings must be considered very satisfactory indeed; 

 this space of time is long only when compared to the ' 

 shortness of human life. 



The regeneration once completed, it only remains 



