132 ELEMENTS OF SYLVICULTURE. 



age at which the shoots should be cut is furnished 

 by the appearance of suckers near their base. A 

 chestnut plantation lasts in this manner for about 

 a century and a half, after which it is time to renew 

 it. When situated near vineyards in favourable con- 

 ditions as to soil and aspect, a chestnut plantation 

 returns very large profits, and is appropriately placed 

 in the hands of private owners. 



THE ALDER. The alder also is well suited for 

 simple coppice. It is a tree that coppices very 

 freely and for a long time. It is invaluable for 

 rendering wet lands productive. It is rarely found 

 associated with other kinds, both on account of the 

 soils it affects and of its very rapid growth. The 

 rotation to apply is longer or shorter, according to 

 the nature of the produce demanded, and varies from 

 twenty to twenty-five years. There may be advan- 

 tage in leaving a few reserves in order to obtain 

 larger poles, which are in demand as conduit pipes 

 for fountains. 



SIMPLE COPPICE OF MORE THAN ONE SPECIES. 

 The species which are most frequently associated 

 together are the two chief oaks, the hornbeam, birch, 

 aspen, ash and beech. When the mixture exists in 

 due proportions, it is highly advantageous on 

 account of the variety of the produce obtained, and 

 the improvement which results from the soil being 

 more completely covered and richer in vegetable 

 mould. But supervision is necessary, and cleanings 

 must be made with the object of setting free the few 

 seedlings which may come up and of preventing the 

 shoots of the hard woods from being over-topped by 



