222 ORGANISATION oy SIMPLE COPSES. 



Suppose, for instance, that w© are given a Working Circle measu- 

 ring 625 acres, to be divided into 25 coupes, and that it contains a 

 natural canton consisting of a well-defined piece of sloping ground 

 comprising 90 acres. This canton must be divided into 3 or 4* coupes, 

 according as its fertility is belovr or above the average. The pro- 

 cedure just described enables the Am^nagista to draw up a really 

 good and simple Working Scheme, instead of one that looks simple- 

 only on the map with coupes qf perfectly ecLual extent bounded by 

 straight and parallel lines. 



In dividing a copse into coupes, the first two Kules for the Ioca~ 

 tion of coupes must be rigorously observed. The necessity of exploit-^ 

 ing plot after plot in their successive relative- order, and ©f giving the- 

 coupes the most regular form possible is so obvious, that the forest- 

 er's instinct alone would lead him to do so. The exploitation of all 

 the coupes situated in one and the same canton in accordance with 

 the order in which they succeed each other on the ground is not 

 always feasible during the first Rotation ;. but it rarely happens that 

 this order cannot be followed from the commencement of the second 

 Rotation, and this without entailing any sacrifice worth considering. 

 Suppose for example, that in the Working Circle referred to in the 

 preceding paragraph there was a coupe that was badly placed as re- 

 gards the age of the contained crop,, so that,, if taken in hand in the 

 relative order of its situation, it would have to be felled at the ag& 

 of only 17 years. This age would obviously be too early, since the 

 Rotation is one of 25 years ; but as it has to be exploited twice ia 

 the course of 17 + 25=42 years, it could, if desired, be felled on 

 these first two occasions at the age of 21 years, a mode of procedure- 

 that would often be adopted with profit. 



The boundaries of the coupes ought to con-sist of straight lines, 

 or of natural lines such as roads, watercourses, ridges, «&;c. Under any 

 circumstances, they should be arranged, as far as possible, with 

 special reference to export lines, and in such a manner as to. provide- 

 each and every coupe with an easy outlet for its produce. 



The necessity of giving every coupe an independent outlet for^ 

 the export of its produce very frequently leads to the establishment 

 of bridle-paths broad enough to serve as roads. But the preliminary 



