FELLING BY SELECTION. 8/ 



to some extent. In the first year, we can only get 

 the just number of trees by felling all from eighty 

 to a hundred years ; in the second year, the trees 

 are from eighty-one to a hundred and one years, and 

 so on to the twentieth year, when the last block 

 gives the required number of trees at from a hun- 

 dred to a hundred and twenty years ; and in all 

 subsequent rotations this irregularity will be per- 

 petuated. And even on this modified system the 

 area under treatment annually is much greater 

 than it would be when felling was conducted on 

 rotation of area. 



In gregarious forests this system of working 

 has all the disadvantages of Mittelwald forests, 

 and perhaps in an aggravated measure ; for al- 

 though in the Mittelwald the trees are generally 

 found so near together that the coppice has no 

 chance in the struggle, the trees themselves do not 

 generally interfere with each other ; while in the 

 Planterwald, the whole forest being stocked with 

 trees in various stages of growth, all mixed pro- 

 miscuously, every growing tree is oppressed by a 

 stronger neighbour, and forming lateral branches 

 on its free side, overpowers and checks the develop- 

 ment of its next younger neighbour. On the other 

 hand, it is claimed for this system that, in the final 

 period, it affords light-loving trees that free space 

 which they cannot get in close forests ; that in 



