European Plans of Forest Management. 99 



as to leave the edges smooth and the stump convex. This will en- 

 able it to shed off the rains which might otherwise settle in hollow 

 places and hasten decay. 



376. As only a f^w of the sprouts that come up from the stump 

 are wanted as trees, a part of them should be cut off. If some of 

 them are bent down, secured in place by pegs, and partly covered 

 with soil, they will take root and become independent trees, when 

 separated from the parent stock. In putting down these layers, the 

 part that is buried should be partly cut off, and the tip end be left 

 exposed. 



377. In some species, as in the locust, and in many of the pop- 

 lars, we find a strong tendency to spread by sending up sprouts 

 from the roots, often at a great distance from the parent tree. 

 These sprouts will rtadily form thrifty trees, and where these tracing 

 roots are broken, and the ends brought to the surface; they grow 

 readily from these ends. 



378. Where it is desirable to hasten the growth of trees from 

 sprouts and the ground is full of small roots, we may break these 

 and bring their ends to the air and thus hasten a new growth. This 

 can be done where poplars have been cut off, and a new crop is de- 

 sired. 



879. It is needless to remark that a coppice growth scarcely ad- 

 mits of any kind of pasturage at any time during its growth, and 

 that to insure success it should always be kept inclosed. In some 

 countries, the leaves are gathered while still green, and dried for 

 winter fodder. 



380. The period at which a coppice may be cut depends upon the 

 uses to which the wood is to be applied, and the conditions of soil, 

 climate, and exposure under which it has grown. It should never 

 extend beyond forty, and it may be reduced to fifteen, or even to 

 ten years. It will be very liable to be governed by the wants of the 

 owner and the market prices of timber. Generally, from twenty to 

 thirty years is ample time for firewood, charcoal, railroad ties, etc. 

 For hoop poles and other small wood it may be cut in five or six 

 years. 



381. As a general rule, the result is best where the period is uni- 

 form, but this can not be determined in a given locality until all 

 the circumstances of growth and the opportunities for market are 

 known. The wood should be taken out before the sprouts get up 



