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pare it for the reception of the seed, which latter, without this precaution, frequently 

 germinates without being able to penetrate with its roots the comparatively hard and 

 leathery leaves lying on the surface, and often dies in consequence, while weeds and scrub 

 easily get up in it, and cover the surface soon, thus adding to the difficulties to be over- 

 come by the young plants. It is commenced several years before the intended regenera- 

 tion, and carried out gradually ; but where the air and light thus admitted are not 

 sufficient to render the surface fit for the reception of the seed, a timely permission to 

 villagers to remove some of the dead leaves is resorted to. Besides the preparing of the 

 soil, this opening out of the forest induces the tree to flower and bear seed more fre- 

 quently than when standing very close. 



The second felling — the so-called seed-cutting — is carried out as soon as the bearing 

 of seed becomes probable, which can be judged of beforehand by the appearance and 

 shape of the buds during the preceding winter. An abundant seed-bearing season gene- 

 rally occurs with the seed after longer or shorter intervals, but sufficient seed for the 

 regeneration of the forest may be reckoned on every second or third year. Precaution 

 is used not to remove too many trees at once, as in case of the flowers being destroyed by 

 spring frosts or other causes, the restocking of the ground with young plants does not 

 succeed. Too much light would dry up the surface of the soil, and induce the weeds to 

 overrun the ground, both circumstances seriously interfering with the germination of the 

 seed at a future season. Where at this time the suitability of the soil remains doubtful, 

 a timely loosening and preparing of it in stripes and patches is resorted to to insure 

 success. 



When the expected seeding of the trees turns out a failure, further clearing is care- 

 fully avoided, to prevent the deterioration of the soil or overgrowing with weeds. If, 

 however, the season is a favourable one, and produces sufficient seed, and the young 

 plants germinate, this felling is soon extended to a greater number of trees to admit more 

 light and dew to strengthen the young plants. 



For the purpose of getting the seed worked into the ground, herds of swine, cattle, 

 etc., are often driven through the forest with good effect. 



Seed beds are sometimes established in the neighbourhood of a forest at the same 

 time, to furnish young plants for the filling up of vacancies, which, however, are also 

 obtained nearly as good out of the forest itself from places where the plants stand thick 

 enough. Altogether the aiding of the natural reproduction by artificial means, either 

 sowing or planting, is at the present time generally resorted to at once, as such measures 

 always lead to a more satisfactory accomplishment of the desired regeneration, and save 

 time. 



The third felling is called cutting for light, as its chief purpose is to admit light and 

 air in greater abundance as the young plants require it. This is generally commenced 

 when the seedlings are two years old. It is also regulated very much by circumstances, 

 and while in the one case the forest trees may be required longer on account of the spring 

 frosts, so very injurious to the young beech, in others their early removal is necessary, 

 even if an increase in size be sacrificed, for the establishment of the young trees. Neither 

 do partial failures prevent the removal of the old trees, but are resorted to at once 'by 



