WOELD'S TIMBER RESOURCES 171 



or blocks is cut over annually. At each cutting 

 a certain proportion of the most vigorous 

 seedlings or shoots is left to grow for several 

 rotations. These are the standard or seed trees 

 which promote natural regeneration from their 

 seed, and also produce mature timber when 

 required, as distinguished from pit props and 

 firewood. The percentage of the reserves in 

 question which are thus worked is 53, while 

 that of high or timber forest is only 31, and 

 simple coppice 14. It is the plan of manage- 

 ment which yields the highest return on the 

 capital invested, as well as about the highest 

 volume of wood. The disadvantages attached 

 to it are the large proportion of low-priced fuel 

 obtained, and, owing to the quickly-repeated 

 growths, the demand it makes on the soil." 



The methods of working and utilization 

 pursued in the national forests generally, may 

 be classed under two main heads, " coppice " 

 and high forest. Coppice comprises simple 

 coppice and coppice under standards. The 

 latter — ^providing for the protection of reserved 

 trees at intervals— to yield seed through several 

 rotations of the growth of small timber sprouting 

 from stools or stumps. Simple coppice, on the 

 other hand, has no reserved trees, the whole 

 crop of young timber being cut over in succes- 

 sive blocks. Coppice, owing to its short rotations 



