CHAPTER I. 



Choice of Regime. 



In choosing the Regime for a forest, we determine the method of 

 working it that suits best the special conditions of growth obtaining 

 therein and the interests of its owner. The principal points for con- 

 sideration in making this choice range themselves into two groups, 

 the one having reference to cultural, the other to economic require- 

 ments. The former takes cognisance of the influence of the Regime 

 on the forest, i. e., enquires in what way and to what extent it affects 

 the species, the soil and the meteorology ; the latter class relates to 

 the produce itself, considered from the point of view of its utility, 

 the income derived therefrom and the ratio of that income to the 

 capital producing it. 



SECTION I. 



CULTCHAL ReQUIEEMENTS. 



The Regime of High Forest, essentially favorable to long-lived 

 species, is alone applicable to the conifers, which do not grow from 

 the stool. It is also the only Regime that suits well the beech. 

 Nevertheless the oak, and even the beech, worked as coppice woods, 

 maintain themselves for an indefinite period of time under favora- 

 ble conditions of soil and climate. Under any circumstances, the 

 suitability of the one or the other Regime is clearly indicated by 

 facts that may be observed in the forest itself. The influence exer- 

 cised on the reproduction of the various species by the Regime that 

 may be in force is at once seen in the actual results obtained. The 

 study of such facts is of great assistance in choosing the Regime 

 to apply in any case, and they may almost always be taken as a cer- 

 tain guide, 80 far as the future well-being of the species is concerned. 



