49 



The qnantity of lime present can be roughly ascertained by ^eductinp; th^ weight of 

 the iDBoluble claj and (and from the weight of the mass. before it was treated with 

 the acid. 



(iv) The crop or growing stock. — The composition, and 

 condition of the standing crop must necessarily be examined 

 and recorded with the greatest care. The detail depends, 

 as already explained, on various circumstances ; but, where 

 a complete inventory is required, the following points should 

 be considered, viz. :■— 



(1) General character of the crop. 



(2) Component species, or different types of crop, and their relatire propor- 



tions. . . 



(3) Age ; density ; slate of grnwth ; proportion of unsound trees. 



(4) Natural reprbdnction ; presence or absence of seedlings or stool shoots. 



(5) Origin and past mana>;ement. 



(6) Must Boitable f ature treatment. 



The character of the crop. — Where it has been found 

 necessary to divide each block into fairly homogeneous units 

 or compartments, the character of the growth should be 

 explained by its descriptive name in a single word or term, 

 such as "thicket," "irregular mature seedling forest." 

 Where, however, the sub-divisions are not artificial and the 

 crop is irregular, a more lengthy description becomes neces- 

 sary. 



With respect to the component species of trees, the princi- 

 pal, and sometimes the secondary species, as well as where 

 necessary their numbers or relative proportions, lieed alone 

 be mentioned ; but this should always be done in the most 

 simple manner possible. Frequently it is sufficient testate 

 whether species other than principal are abundant or rare. 

 Numerical ratios may be misleading, for instance, where 

 there are a largo number of injured or unsound trees, or 

 where the species are very irregularly distributed. Species 

 *of minor importance need oujy be mentioned oollectivrely if 

 they are abundant or rare, or are characteristic of the soil or 

 state of growth, or if they are condned to certain compart- 

 ments. Where there is more than one stage of growth, 

 as in coppice with standards, each stage should be separately 

 described. 



As regards age, if the crop is composed of two or more 

 distinct classes, tlie respective ages of eaoh should be given. 

 If the crop is irregular, the dominant oge should be stated. 



The density of a crop is described by stating whether 

 the leaf-canopy is complete or not, close, open, .varying^ 

 etc. 



