154 NATURAL HISTORY OF MARITIME PINE. 



growth of the tree advances. These are known as coupes ^ameliora- 

 tion. There are subsequently thinnings executed to leave sufficient 

 ground cleared and open for the reception of seed cast from the trees 

 left standing. These are designated coupes de regeneration. After 

 which follows the final felling, or coup definitive, in which only trees 

 required to give shade to the young seedlings, etc., are left standing. 

 But there are exceptional cases, in which artificial sowing is deemed 

 preferable. In these cases coupes de regeneration are not necessary, 

 and the coupe definitive takes the form of a clean sweep, known in 

 technical phrase as la coupe a blanc Hoc. 



In regard to the treatment of the maritime pine, the instruc- 

 tions given at Nancy are in several points founded on those given in 

 regard to the exploitation of the Scotch fir. 



In these instructions we meet with the two terms coupes de regenera- 

 tion and coupe d 'amelioration, in addition to the similar designations 

 formerly explained. The former of these designations is applied to 

 all the fellings or thinnings to which the forest may be subjected in 

 the course of its reproduction ; and the latter is applied to fellings or 

 thinnings carried out with a view to the improvement of the forest in 

 any way. 



" The corresponding instructions given in regard to the treatment 

 of the maritime pine are these : 



" Exploitability. — To ascertain what size this tree may attain, and 

 at what period its exploitability should be fixed, it must first be 

 cultivated without any injury being done to its growth, for until we 

 gain light from experience we can only judge by analogy. 



" Trees which grow rapidly when young generally attain their 

 maximum development sooner than do others. This is particularly 

 true of the maritime pine. Nevertheless, in the south, where the 

 climate is favourable, it continues to increase in size for a long time, 

 and on this account it ought not to be exploited for 100 or 120 years, 

 according to the nature of the soil, that the timber may acquire the 

 desired solidity for building and other purposes. 



" Of course, in adopting this revolution, gemmage is not permissible. 



" Coupes de regeneration. — The maritime pine never having as yet 

 been subjected to systematic culture, the method to be followed is 

 uncertain. But from the nature of the seed, the constitution of the 

 young plant, and the arrangement of the roots, we may conclude that 

 it ought to be exploited in the same way as the Scotch fir. At the 

 same time, at the coupe d'ensemencement there may be left fewer plants 

 as this pine is better able to resist the wind. Indeed, the seed is a 



