CHAPTER IV 



CONDITIONS AFFECTING GROWTH 



THE conditions which affect growth are very numerous. In 

 the following account, only those subjects are dealt with 

 which are of primary importance to the management of estate- 

 woods. 



Species and soils. It is not within the scope of the present 

 volume to enter upon a description of soils ; it must suffice to 

 indicate the relation of species of tree to soil. As a rule, it is the 

 land with which the farmer can do little or nothing that requires 

 afforestation. The most important point to decide before planting 

 the ground, is the kinds of trees which are likely to thrive on that 

 particular soil. Any attempt to establish a species in a locality not 

 suited to it, is bound to fail. 



In this volume, the term " soil " also includes the subsoil, or 

 rather so much of the subsoil as is capable of being penetrated, by 

 the roots of the trees. 



The geological formation is of great importance. In the 

 " Assessment of a Locality," however, there are many considerations, 

 other than this, which have to be taken into account. The chief 

 of these — which alone need be considered here — are depth and 

 moisture. 



(i) Geological formation. The following species will grow on 

 the soils enumerated : — 



Calcareous Soils 



Acacia Sycamore 



Alder Norway Maple 



Aspen Austrian Pine 



Beech Corsican Pine 



Horse Chestnut Scotch Pine 



Sweet Chestnut Cedar of Lebanon 



