SrSTAIXED YIELD IN C'OXTEESIOX OEGANISATIONS- 303 



The results in the contrary case would be very different in- 

 deed. Conversion operations undertaken in crops insufficiently 

 prepared for them, reproduction by seed compromised b\- the less 

 or more unimpeded growth of shoots from the stool (due to the iin- 

 timelv exploitation of formed trees in the various exploitations), a 

 material falling oflF in the yield manifesting i:;elf from the very 

 beirinning of the Second Period, such are the manner and circum- 

 stances in which the work would be done ; thus undertaken, the 

 conversion of the forest would be all but impossible, and compound 

 coppice crops would gradually be transformed into simple copses. 



Time as well as economy is an element of the first necessity in 

 conversions. And when the forest to be convertel contains no large 

 mass of compound copse sufficiently well cjQstituted, both as re- 

 gards the underwood and the reserve, to form, after a Preparatory 

 Period, a convenient First Block, it would be wise to postpone the 

 conversion. Coppice exploitations on a long Rotation and a judici- 

 ous selection of standards would not be long in bringing about a 

 better state of things.^ Then again the adoption of a long Hit^li 

 Forest Rotation has for immediate result the lessening of all exist- 

 ing difficulties. It restricts the area to be converted and the quan- 

 tity of produce to be extracted during a given time ; it affijrds the 

 best guarantee that none but exploitable timber shall be cut durincr 

 as well as after the conversion ; it assures, of necessity, a sustained 

 yield from the very beginning of the Second Period ; it allows of the 

 formation of a numerous reserve of well-grown trees in the coppice 

 exploitations of the last Blocks : and, finally, it modifies in a favor- 

 able manner the standing stock by means of gradual improvements, 

 v.ithout which a successful conversion would often be impossible. Re- 

 garded in the light of these observations, the conversion of a forest is 

 unquestionably a work cle longue haleine, requiring the aid of several 



1 It seems superfloons to insist once more on the results of a good selec- 

 tion of standards. In complete conformity with the prescriptions of the Roval 

 EJiot of lf-7. it assares tae progressive improvement of the coppice crops ; in 

 certain cases it may suflice to bring about the high forest state itself ; it is 

 obligatory, and the wealth it stores op is not savings clipped out of income. 

 And yet, iu the majority of cases, it is all that can be done in the interests of 

 the f iitnre. The analysis of a Compoinil Coppice Felling given in the Apoeu- 

 dii shoTTs clearly how the results of a selection of standards can be appreciated 

 in all its beariD)!s. 



