138. 



d. Generally spruce requires special climatic sites, does not 

 help the soil, r\nd tends to convert the land to a form supporting only 

 spruce (toxins). On large acres of beech land, the introduction of sprue 

 drove the beech out. This was probably due to a change in the physical 

 condition of the soil. Lands sometimes get "tired" of spruce, and then 

 it is difficult to grov other species there. Haraam applies this to all 

 s ecies, but this is a doubtful policy, for beech and certain species 

 will put the soil in a condition good for anything. But large arer?s are 

 abused by certain species; spruce, heather in Europe, and moss s, which 

 deaden the soil, hardens it and kills bacteria. So Raiaam is partially 

 correct. Get the hardwoods back on the land; they will help the soil 

 even if the venture is not financially prof it--;^le for direct crops. Hard 

 wood foresters believe in rotation; this can be done but is difficult. 

 Spruce in southern &erraany gro /s 10.00 per acre, which is $6.00 net ove 

 all expens s; few foresters will give up such an income for beech on a 

 long-time rotation, for beech does not pay as well as that. 



) Beech Forest. !ixed hardwoods. 



a. Young growth; The roots are dense, deep and intensive; 

 there is much growth per acre, &&&& a large proportion of the growth is 

 of the best mulch; the stand is deciduous, and the sun gets to the groun 

 in the fall and spring; consequently there is always some spring herba- 

 cious vegetation. The winds affect the ground part of the year. There is 

 better ventilation of the woods, toetter mulch nnd better aerntion of soi 



The soil is benefited by excellent tillage, there is much mulch o 

 high quality, good aeration, abundant soil life making for fine soil, an 

 great moisture capacity. 



b. The saia conditions continue to mature timber. The time of 

 maximum growth in b- ech comes late. Mulch material always forms more the 

 half tfean half the growth. The till^e os good, there is good soil life. 

 A large proportion of the mold and top-soil is made of the excrements of 

 animals. 



, On poor land, especially sand with little lime and much 

 mulch, beech sometimes grows well and yet is unable to prevent turf fom 

 ing and growing under the stand, this is rare even in Europe. A longer 

 season and higher temperature obviates this difficulty. 



4) Oak. 



Oak is3imilar in its behaviour *o beech. 



a. Young stand: dense growth, planty of mulch, deep roots, 

 starts late in the spring. 



b. Pole stand: the stand and the crown open up, so vegetation 

 comes in; The soil dries and hardens for lack of protection. 



. From now on the oak is unable to care for the soil. There- 

 fore underplanting is used. Kature normally does the same thing herself, 



d. On poor sands in moderate climates oak can do more for the 

 soil than o"ther hardwoods, because of its deep rooting. 



5) Mixed forest and all-aged forest in regard to soil. 



a. A mixed forest of several species makes various demands on 

 the soil, "soil quality and soil moisture; it differs in the size of the 



