WHERE TIMBER HAS BEEN FELLED. 73 
exuvie of the old wood decay. I have frequently observed 
where timber had stood very close, that eight to twelve years 
sometimes elapse before the soil becomes fit for the growth of 
young plants by notching, without any more costly prepara- 
tion. 
Where the trees of the former plantation, however, stood 
thin, which is often the case before the whole are removed, 
spots are found here and there which admit of the growth 
of young plants at once; and it would have been a great 
improvement on any other method had such places in ordi- 
nary good soil, not too dry, been planted with silver fir before 
the complete removal of the timber. This tree has every 
recommendation as a succeeding crop to larch and Scotch 
pine, and shade and shelter are of advantage to it in early 
life. 
The surface soil of old fir woods is generally overspread 
with a considerable depth of half decomposed vegetable suh- 
stance uncongenial to the growth of plants, Burning is some- 
times resorted to as a means of clearing the spongy surface, 
and as a preventive against the ravages of the wood-beetle 
and other insects which infest such places. But burning 
is not always successful; and although it often makes a 
more favourable surface for young plants if it is left for a few 
years till a new vegetation arises, yet it is often impracticable 
from the nature of the ground, and from its already con- 
taining some plants which it may be desirable to retain. 
Trenching over the ground and removing the old roots is the 
surest; method, but the expense of the operation generally 
prevents that from being practised on a large scale. Ground 
that has produced a crop of timber is always hard and close 
under the vegetable remains, and excludes the influences of 
the atmosphere to such a degree that, unless it is well dis- 
turbed, it remains long uncongenial to the profitable growth 
of young plants. The birch and the willow most readily 
spring up on the surface remains, as their seeds are adapted 
for being drifted to great distances. The mountain ash also 
not unfrequently appears, the seeds having been carried to the 
