276 COMPOUND COPSES UNDER CONVERSION. 



After what precedes, it is easy to form an idea of the 

 general march of the conversion operations. Given, for example, 

 a real copse, composed chiefly of shoots from the stool; the 

 Amenagiste must first determine what time the conversion of the 

 whole forest will require, then fix the successive Periods of the 

 Rotation and the portion of the forest to convert (that la to say, the 

 Block to regenerate by seed) during each of them. He must nexfc 

 lay down for each Period prescriptions regarding the preparation 

 for conversion of the corresponding Block, the actual conversion of 

 the Block thus prepared during the immediately preceding Period, 

 and the continuation of compound coppice exploitations in the 

 Blocks to be prepared during the subsequent Periods for conver- 

 sion. Such is a general idea of all conversion organisations, to 

 ■which each particular case can be referred as a type. It is as sim- 

 ple as it is excellent. 



We now proceed to describe the various working combinations 

 and cultural operations that enter into the conversion of compound 

 copses into high forests. At the outset we must take for granted as 

 a necessary postulate that all these copses contain within them- 

 selves all the elsments required for their successful regeneration by 

 seed. We do not intend to say anything regarding simple copses, 

 since their conversion is after all only a particular case falling under 

 the general question treated. 



The preliminary steps to take in drawing up the Organisation 

 Project for the conversion of a copse into high forest are in no way 

 different from those adopted ia organising a high forest. It will 

 thus be sufficient if we explain what points require special atten- 

 tion in the examination of the compartments, in the formation of 

 the Working Circles, and in the determination of the Rotation. 



§ 1. Fotmation of Compartments. 



The division lines of the former coppice coupes can serve, pi-o- 

 vi'iionally at least, for the boundary lines of the compartments. It 

 will be possible later on to decide which of these lines should be 

 permanently retained and which rejected ; and wherever new lines 

 are found necessary, these should follow topographical features and 

 other natural boundaries. 



