THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



35 



GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF PLANTATIONS, 



A plantation is an assemblage of trees growing on the 

 surface of the earth, on which the young plants have 

 been inserted for the purpose of being reared into timber, 

 an article of vast importance in the domestic economy 

 of the human race. A tree is one of the first creations 

 of nature, and one of the most abundant productions 

 that are found on the face of the earth. The surface is 

 adorned by the presence of trees in the lofty stem and 

 canopy of foliage. Cold situations are sheltered and 

 rendered warm by the protection afforded from congre- 

 gations of trees ; and the trunks are manufactured for 

 a large variety of purposes in every clime of the known 

 world. Without trees the face of the earth would 

 lose a large part of its beauty. 



In the modern economy of using the earth for the 

 purposes of cultivation, trees are reared with three in- 

 tentions—for scenery, for shelter, and for growing 

 timber as an article of commercial value. The first use 

 prevails chiefly in lowland situations, and upon rich 

 soils ; the second is used on high ground, in order to 

 afford a shelter to declining situations ; while the third 

 occupies all the upland and highest positions in which 

 vegetation is able to live and gro*v. The first applica- 

 tion is beyond our present purpose : the second and 

 third occupy all high grounds, from the most Alpine 

 heights down to the low situations of scenery and plea- 

 sure; within this range are comprehended hills and 

 moors never cultivated, and banks and declivities beyond 

 the reach of the plough. 



The rearing of timber is an object of much importance 

 to the owners of the soil, and of a very considerable in- 

 terest to the national community. A general rule 

 directs that all the grounds be planted with trees which 

 are inaccessible to the plough by reason of elevation, 

 declivity, or any other insuperable objection of nature. 

 And when a grassy surface on a kindly subsoil yields 

 a grateful herbage to animals, the position of plantations 

 must be so arranged as to afford shelter to the grounds 

 that produce the value in pasturage. The profits of the 

 grazing will determine if the use continues for animals, 

 or may be better converted into plantations. Very high 

 elevations deny the growth of any vegetation. Grasses 

 grow where trees cannot live, and consequently such a 

 value must come from these situations as nature is 

 pleased to allow. Plantations are best made on mo- 

 derate elevations, or sloping grounds that forbid culti- 

 vation, and on low situations where for special reasons 

 a congregation of trees may be eligible. 



Trees of use are naturally divided into two large as- 

 sortments of hard and soft timber, which are assorted 

 by the relative situations of growth and utility. Young 

 plants are raised in nursery-grounds from the ripened 

 seeds to the age of two and three years, and then planted 

 in the open grounds. Fir trees form a large division of 

 the soft timber, ^and the hard kinds of Britain are the 



oak, ash, and elm. Other sorts of trees are introduced 

 in the low grounds where scenery is the object. 



Grounds intended to be planted with trees must be 

 completely fenced during the year previous to the 

 planting, which may be done in the way that is the most 

 convenient to the circumstances of the locality. Stone 

 walls are the most ready and effectual fence, and when 

 sunk into the ground the effect is useful and agreeable. 

 A strong turf wall of good materials constitutes a good 

 fence, and is often of more ready access than stones. 

 Timber palings will last for many years, and where 

 timber is plentiful will be often used. Different modes 

 will prevail , as the locality affords the materials. Wet 

 grounds must be thoroughly laid dry by surface 

 draining, of which the ditches are placed in the lowest 

 grounds, and follow the sinuosities of the surface in 

 every direction, however crooked or awkward the ap- 

 pearance may become. The general discharge must 

 lead to a large ditch, brook, or rivulet, into which the 

 water escapes. The conveyance must be clear and un- 

 interrupted to the outside of the plantation, if at all 

 possible to be got. If a flat surface occurs, an artificial 

 level must be sought and made for the special use. 



Two methods are adopted in planting trees ; one 

 way opens circular pits in the ground, three to four 

 feet apart, about one foot deep, and one foot-and-a- 

 half in diameter. The tree is placed upright in the 

 centre of the hole, with the rootlets carefully spread 

 abroad by the hand, the excavated earth is thrown 

 into the pit, and trodden firmly round the tree by the 

 foot, and then the grassy turf is placed as before over 

 the pit, and cut into two parts, with the tree in the in- 

 cision. The earth being trodden firmly by the foot, 

 and the turf being compressed with the back of the 

 spade, finishes the planting of the tree. This mode is 

 adopted for plants of the largest size, which are placed 

 at widest distances on the ground. The second method 

 of planting trees makes two incisions with the common 

 spade, centrally crossing each other at right angles ; 

 the tree is placed in the ground at the point of inter- 

 section, the spade holding up the turf till the plant is 

 fixed, and then depressiug it to receive the position. 

 The roots of the plant are neatly dressed by knife, and 

 the feathers are arranged in the new position before the 

 fixture is accomplished. This method is cheap and ex- 

 peditious, and leaves the roots among the best soil on 

 the surface of the ground on which to spread horizon- 

 tally, and establish its abode ; whereas in pits, by the 

 first way of planting, the roots are placed in the sub- 

 soil, which is often pernicious and inimical to vegetation, 

 the growtb. is stopped till new roots emerge from the 

 stem, -diia aia.. aubstance from the upper soil. Trees 

 are fibrous-rooted plants, and spread horizontally along 

 the surface of the earth: no tap-root descends to 

 require a depth of humified earths, and consequently 

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