AMONG THE OAKS 113 
the earlier thinnings, but if not, then much can 
be done for the formation of underwood at a 
cheap rate by sowing and dibbling seed on well- 
hoed patches, and by layering stool-shoots or 
seedlings found growing on the area. 
When once underwood has been formed, the 
future treatment of the crop as it now exists 
must of course depend mainly on local conditions 
connected with the market for timber. In fact, it 
is almost superfluous to remark that all the argu- 
ments which can be adduced in favour of better 
treatment of our woodlands are absolutely worth- 
less unless such change will be remunerative. If 
woods are to be treated on business principles, 
then the treatment must really depend most of 
all on the market for timber or other wood. 
It is only when once a remunerative market is 
ensured that advantage is to be found in improved 
methods of Forestry. Such underwood as above 
can either be worked as coppice, or it can be 
allowed to grow up into larger poles to be 
harvested when it is desired to reap the crop 
of oak timber. 
Oak woods treated thus may usually be ex- 
pected to attain their most profitable age, 7.¢, 
H 
