WORKING PLANS AND CULTURAL METHODS 135 



by removing groups of trees so as to cut up the stand into 

 openings of 0.03 to 0.04 hectare (0.074 to 0.098 acre) so 

 that the seedHngs of this species will receive the Ught they 

 require." 



Coppice. — In 1911^^ two-thirds of the communal and federal 

 forests under working plans were high forest (selection) and but 

 one-third in coppice. The same general coppice methods are 

 applied as in France proper. In Corsica the coppice is managed 

 chiefly for charcoal and fire wood; hohn oak is favored against 

 other species. Private coppice is cut at irregular intervals on 

 short rotations without waiting for silvical maturity; perhaps 

 this explains in part why one-third the island is covered with 

 mere brush or maquis. 



Marking Corsican Pine. — Were it not for the extensive 

 grazing by goats it is certain that with successful fire protection, 

 regeneration of Corsican pine would be simple, barring periodic 

 droughts during the summer season. Being a hght-demanding 

 species the tree is well adapted in theory to the shelterwood 

 system. However, we have cited the reasons why a group 

 selection method of regeneration has been given the preference. 

 But the key note to the system, as apphed, is that the cuttings 

 are irregular and in small patches, with periodic thinnings 

 (which in the past have been sadly neglected) in the poles. 

 According to recent inspections^^ the marking has been too 

 heavy, particularly in the protection zone, and local inspectors 

 are advised to resist the insistent demands from communes for 

 heavy fellings. 



Two 0.40-hectare (i-acre) sample plots were laid out in the 

 Valdoniello forest in a mature stand of Corsican pine, where 

 there was no regeneration because of overgrazing; in general 

 appearance the stand was identical with the optimum mature 

 western yellow pine stands on a rich soil in Arizona or New 

 Mexico. It is significant that less than one-fourth the volume 

 was marked for cutting, whereas of the western yellow pine grow- 

 ing on drier soil at least two-thirds has been usually cut. 



^ Unpublished notes by de Lapasse. 

 39 Annual report for 19 10, de Lapasse. 



