SELECTION OF STANDAEDS. 229 



hence, of young plants to perpetuate the copse, protect the soil, and 

 promote the growth of the more valuable species. Moreover, such 

 standards will furnish at each exploitation of the forest a not in- 

 considerable contingent of produce in the shape of firewood. 



§ 1. Forests managed by the State. 



In forests in which the production of standards is more remu- 

 nerative than that of the underwood, it may be taken for granted, 

 as a matter of principle, that every isolated and growing tree ought 

 to be reserved. Hence in copses belonging to the State, and espe- 

 cially in such as can produce oak of large size, no limit can be laid 

 down as regards the number of the standards to reserve, except in 

 in 80 far as that they shall not touch one another or interfere with 

 the free development of their neighbours. The same rule applies 

 to communal forests in the interests of the proprietary 

 Commune itself. It is prescribed in the last paragraph of 

 Section 70 of the Royal Edict of 1827 in so far as formed trees, 

 that is to say, standards of the 2nd. and higher classes, are concerned. 

 We would, moreover, be above all just reproach, if, as is prescribed in 

 the first paragraph of the same Section, we reserved only 20 standards 

 per acre from among the underwood at each exploitation. Even for 

 the private individual, it is, as a rule, advantageous to preserve all 

 formed trees that are not yet exploitable, provided always that their 

 crowns do not touch one another. Numerous cases are to be met 

 with of copses ruined or badly damaged by an immoderate felling 

 of the old standards. On the other hand, there is none to be seen 

 which has not been improved and enriched by a numerous reserve 

 composed of large trees. f5uch is the fact, and it is thereon that we 

 must base the treatment of our copses with standards. 



A. numerous reserve of oak, containing a considerable propor- 

 tion of trees of large size, has, besides, the cultural effect of helpino- 

 to maintain that species by means of abundant seedlings and of 

 assuring a constant supply of standards for future exploitations. 

 After the old oak standards have been felled, the underwood, 

 hitherto kept down by them, does not at once recover itseK and 

 shoot up with any vigour. In this state it is replenished and com- 

 pleted by the appearance of certain species, like the aspen or the 



