90 ELEMENTS OF SYLVICULTURE . 



sapling stages the future trees are clearly distinguish- 

 able ; the smaller plants serve to fill up, and assist 

 in cleaning the boles of the taller trees, without any 

 danger of future injury ; lastly, not only are thin- 

 nings carried out with a more certain hand, but they 

 need not be begun until they pay. 



It will now be understood why at the beginning 

 it is not essential to have a very complete stock of 

 seedlings. 



The lightness of the seed and the exceedingly 

 hardy constitution of the young plant allow repro- 

 duction to be obtained by yet another method, viz., 

 making long and narrow clear cuttings, working 

 gradually in a direction opposite to that of the pre- 

 vailing winds, and at the same time loosening the 

 soil in some way or another. The only danger will 

 be in the intermit tence of years of seed. 



Hitherto we have regarded the Scotch pine as 

 growing in a pure state. On this supposition, it is 

 evident that from forty years old and upwards, when 

 the cover has become very light, the soil will dete- 

 rioate, and the approaching regeneration will find 

 the same unfavourable conditions that we have 

 already noticed. Most frequently this disadvantage 

 may be overcome by the introduction of indigenous 

 trees as companions for the pine, by which means 

 the growth of the latter is unquestionably unproved. 



The natural associates of the Scotch pine, whether 

 forming a canopy with it, or growing as underwood, 

 are, according to the climate, the oak, the beech, the 

 hornbeam, and the silver fir. The most important 

 for the improvement of the soil are the beech and 



