BULES FOB LOCATING CUTTINGS. 195 



clearly along what direction the regeneration cuttings 

 should be made. But on the other hand, self-sowing 

 will always be obtained more rapidly if the seeds 

 shed by the reserves of any one cutting are supple- 

 mented by other seeds coming from above. 



Notwithstanding the advantages pointed out, the 

 fourth rule has often to be neglected, since it may 

 be opposed to the observation of the second. It is 

 obviously futile to regenerate the lower portions of 

 slopes, if the seedlings on them were subject to be 

 destroyed by the clearance of cuttings situated above. 

 Moreover, if the crops above contained mature tim- 

 ber, and those lower down growing timber, no one 

 would think of working the latter first. 



Hence the first and most important thing to do in 

 a mountainous country is to lay out a good network 

 of roads, which will divide the slopes into parallel 

 zones and flank the cuttings on one side at least. 



If the declivity is too rapid for cart roads, slides 

 may be constructed, and if this also is impracticable, 

 owing to material obstacles or steep inclines, shoots 

 might perhaps be made available. 



However, when it is possible to observe the fourth 

 rule simultaneously with the second, there is every 

 advantage in doing so, and it ought to be done. 

 But if it be not possible to combine them, the second 

 rule ought to prevail, as being the more important 

 of the two ; and to avoid the dangers against which 

 Rule IV. provides, though the cuttings have to begin 

 &t the top, the more elevated portions, which afford 

 protection, should be left intact and be worked by 

 selection. It is impossible to indicate what amount 



