44 THE NEW FORESTRY. 



We do not blame nurserymen for following the lead of pro- 

 fessed experts in such matters, but surely a little reflection 

 must show the utter absurdity of such a system of planting 

 anywhere. 



PLANTER'S DIAGRAM. 



Showing system of Planting Trees for a Mixed Hard-wood 



Plantation. 



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O. Oak, planted at 20 feet apart. 

 A. Ash, „ 20 „ „ 



E. Elm, „ 20 „ 



S. Sycamore, planted at 20 feet apart. 



L. Larch, as nurses and for early thinning. 



F. Scotch Fir, Spruce, or Austrian Pine, as 



Nurses, etc. 

 O. A. E. S. Any of these or any other hard- 

 wooded trees to remain permanently. 



(From a Nurseryman's Catalogue.) 



The next example relates to the Douglas fir — -" The 

 Forester," p. 355. This tree is to be planted "thirty feet 

 apart as the permanent crop, and made up with larch as nurses 

 to five feet over all " — the larch to be removed in about twenty 

 years, so that " a complete plantation of this tree alone could 

 be secured." Now here we have one of the most vigorous 

 evergreen species known nursed by a deciduous species every 

 way weaker than itself, and the permanent crop planted ten 

 yards asunder for the production of timber. Plantations of 

 Douglas fir raised on this principle are now to be seen, the 

 worst examples of timber-culture probably to be found 

 anywhere — the trees tapering rapidly in shape and forming 

 a mass of huge knots from top to bottom. In many cases the 

 plan has defeated itself, and now plantations are to be seen 



