THE AFTER-FELLINGS IN THE UNirOEM METHOt). 349 



later, as a nile, ought the first felling to be made, for in proportion 

 thereto will be both the rankness of the noxious undergrowth and 

 the shade-enduring capacity of the seedHngs. 



(e) The nature of the climate and locality. The wider the 

 extremes that prevail, the longer must the first after-felHng be 

 delayed. 



(f) Tlie shade-enduring capacity of the component species. The 

 more shade-avoiding the predominant or principal species, the 

 sooner must a felling be made. 



(ff) The hardihood of the component species. The hardier the 

 species are, the earlier, provided there is no danger of a strong 

 growth of weeds, brushwood and coppice shoots coming up and the 

 soil does not require much protection, must the seedlings begin to 

 be uncovered. 



(K) The rapidity of growth of the seedlings. The more rapidly 

 the seedlings grow, the more light will they require even simply 

 to continue healthy, and the sooner, therefore, must they be ad- 

 mitted to an increased enjoyment of Hght. But this very rapidity 

 of growth enables them to meet their crowns and close over the 

 ground quickly, thus diminishing the importance of the nurse 

 crop. 



It will thus be seen that even in the case of one and the same 

 species no hard and fast rule can be laid down to fix the exact time 

 when the first after-fellings shall be made ; in each particular 

 instance, the special circumstances prevailing can alone indicate 

 when it should be undertaken. In the absence of local experience, 

 the following golden rule, which will at any rate save the commis- 

 sion of serious, if not fatal, errors, should be observed : — 



If the seedlings are thriving, have a healthy colour, possess 

 abundant foliage, strong shoots and large full buds, we may he 

 sure that tJie existing amount of cover is doing tJiem no harm; but 

 if they are stunted, or thin and lanky, have spare foliage, small weak buds 

 and almost abortive shoots, and present a yellowish appearance, 

 or if they are J ound bending over to one side in the direction of 

 an opening in the leaf-canopy, it is a clear sign that they require 

 more light. 



Usually the first after-felHng will not be delayed beyond the 

 third year succeeding the seed-felling. 



IV. When to make the last after-felling. 



The last felling should be made only when the great body of 

 the seedlings has everywhere become estabUshed i.e., has entered 



