102 European Plans of Forest Management. 



393. In the case of timber used for ship building, the knees and 

 other curved or angular parts are generally taken from trees that 

 have the desired shapes. These are oftener found along the borders 

 of a woodland than in the interior, and the reserves affording these 

 forms being more desirable, more of them may be left in propor- 

 tion to their number than of others that are more upright. It has 

 been practiced to some extent, to bend and confine young trees, to 

 secure these curves and forms that give them special value for cer- 

 tain uses. This may be done by fastening one branch to another 

 of the same tree, or by binding it to the ground, or fastening it to a 

 plank molded to the proper curve, until it will stay in place. 



(3.) The Growing of Woodlands to full Maturity.^ 



394. For the production of large timber, of great strength ,,an4 

 fit for the most important uses in civil and naval constructions, 

 a special course of management is required, which we will briefly 

 describe, although it has not hitherto been much followed, except 

 upon lands belonging to governments, and in a large degree for the 

 supply of their own wants. 



395. In this form of cultivation, the trees are generally all started 

 at the same period, and at all stages of growth they are of the same 

 age and size, but progressively become less in number, by thinning 

 out from time to time, in order to allow the remainder a better 

 chance to grow. 



396. The period of " revolution" with the same kinds varies with 

 the richness of the soil, the climate, and the exposure, and it is 

 longer in some kinds than with others. 



397. The deciduous kinds most prized for this are the English 

 oak,^ beech, elm, ash, sycamore, maple, hornbeam, birch, and 

 locust, often more or less mixed, and sometimes with spruces, firs, 

 and pines. The conifers can be cultivated only in this way or by 

 "Jardinage." [§ 360.] 



398. The beginning is secured either by sowing or planting (upon 



^We have no single word in the English language to express the idea 

 which the French convey in the vord futaie, and the Germans in horhwald, 

 meaning a forest grown to full age, in a period ranging from 60 or 70 years 

 to 150 or 200. 



* Quercus pedunculaia, and Q. sessiliflora, by some botanists regarded as 

 varieties of the same species, which they name Que7'cus rubur. 



