THE QUALITY OF CONIFEROUS TIMBER. 



107 



generation will spring, and it seems but reasonable to expect 

 that good results would ultimately accrue did man follow nature's 

 example and only make use of seed from such trees also. There 

 need be no difficulty in doing so where seed is gathered for 

 private use ; but unfortunately, in the case of professional col- 

 lectors, there is a strong temptation to gather that which is 

 most easily procured, and therefore — except where trees are 

 felled — stunted trees with their low-reaching branches are objects 

 of special attraction. 



When young trees are planted out into the positions they are 

 permanently to occupy, great care should be bestowed on the 

 manner in which the operation is performed. I do not propose 

 to describe the various methods and modifications of pitting and 

 notching, but whichever system is adopted the planter should be 

 careful to secure a firm support to the young tree on the side 

 furthest removed from the prevailing winds. These, in this 

 country, blow from the south-west, so that, if the trees be 

 planted by notching, the slit into which the young tree is in- 

 serted should have a north-west to south-east direction ; and, if 

 pitted, the larger and firmer sod should be placed on the north-east 

 side of the tree. In exposed situations especially, the neglect of 

 this simple precaution will make it possible for the trees to sway 

 backwards and forwards in the slit, and in the course of two or 

 three years many will become semi- prostrated on the ground. 

 Although afterwards their upper part may assume a vertical 

 position, the basal portion will remain permanently crooked, and 

 the value of the timber, especially of the thinnings, will be 

 seriously reduced. 



Wher^ the ground is soft, more particularly in exposed 

 situations, many young Conifers up to eight or ten years of age 

 will be found to be much inclined by the wind, even when the 

 precautions that I have just indicated have been observed ; and 

 it is therefore advisable that young woods should be attended 

 to every two or three years, and any trees that are visibly 

 swayed should be supported in an upright position by placing a 

 large stone or firm sod behind them. If this work is attended 

 to while the trees are still small, it will not be necessary to 

 employ stakes, and indeed the trouble and expense attendant on 

 their use preclude their employment when sylviculture is con- 

 ducted on a large scale. 



