CONTENTS. ix 



PAGE 



If SO, coppice-wood should be cut as late in winter as possible . .127 

 Best time for felling timber ........ 130 



Roots should not be covered deeply 130 



That a hill affords no more space for growth than its base would, an 

 error ............ 131 



Effect of wind on trees ... . 133 



Effect of sea breeze mechanical, not chemical ..... 134 



PAET III. 



ARE SOILS ENRICHED, IMPOVERISHED, OR POISONED 

 BY VEGETABLE GROWTH? THESE QUESTIONS IN- 

 CLUDE EXCRETION FROM ROOTS; SOCIABILITY OF 

 PLANTS; ACCUMULATION OF SOIL IN WOODS ; GENE- 

 RAL DENUDATION OF SOIL FROM WASH OF RAIN. 



The food of plants is extracted from the soil. But if the plants are 



returned to the soil, no impoverishment takes place . . . 136 



Roots do not excrete 139 



►Sociability of plants a fancy 142 



Sociability of holly and beech owing to holly bearing shade better 



than other plants 151 



The soil of woods does not become poorer, but richer . . . 155 

 Is there any other cause for this besides protection by the roots 



from aqueous denudation 155 

 Aqueous denudation is universal, and is not confined only to the 



lines of torrents and rivers ........ 157 



No necessity for rotation in Nature's cropping 183 



PAET IV. 



PRUNING AND THINNING. 



For beauty we should have every variety of growth .... 185 

 Trees cannot attain their maximum height by nature — that is, 



without pruning and thinning 186 



The works of God can be improved by man . . . . . 186 

 To grow valuable timber, maximum head on maximum height of 



branchless stem . . . . . . . , . ,187 



Rules for pruning for height ........ 187 



