48 FOREST PLAITTING. 



Of all the conifers there is no species which can com- 

 pare in frugality quantity of wood production and returns 

 with the Scotch Pine {pinus sylvestris). This tree, al- 

 though a native of the Eastern hemisphere, is now largely 

 grown here. It will succeed even upon the poorest soil, 

 altering, during its growing period, the condition of the 

 soil in such a manner that later on more valuable trees 

 may me raised there. This species should always be 

 resorted to in places where no other tree will grow, 

 and although the benefits offered by it will not last 

 longer than during its first growing period, — as it is 

 losing its soil-shading capability after a growth of from 15 

 to 20 years — we cannot spare it, but have to give the 

 plantation either a short rotation, or we must intermix 

 other suitable trees right at the planting time, or later, 

 as soon as openings in the plantation appear. In moun- 

 tainous regions the Larch or Tamarack serves nearly all 

 the purposes for which the Pine is used on the plains. 



Excepting the general principles laid down in the pre- 

 ceding suggestions, there is no absolute rule for selecting 

 the proper trees to be planted in a given locality. The 

 best way to avoid mistakes is to study, not only the na- 

 ture of the various species of the forest trees by them- 

 selves, and in aggregate life — but also the hints afforded 

 by the lay of the land ; and when we have mastered these 

 hints, we should follow them by selecting such trees as 

 will find on the given place everything that is required 

 for their full development. At the same time we 

 must not overlook the purpose for which trees are planted 

 — a point which is to be considered even before the ques- 

 tion arises: "What to plant?" For instance: When we 

 advise the intermixture of spruces, oaks, and even 

 beeches with pines, there could possibly some one find 

 fault with us because the trees named will never reach a 

 full development on poor ground, but become, after the 

 first growing period, stunted and suppressed by the pines. 



