1884.] FACTS ABOUT PLANTING ON MOORS. 97 



FACTS ABOUT PLANTING ON MOOES AND HIGH 



LANDS. 



ON thousands of acres of 1000 feet to 1200 feet altitude iu 

 Scotland and north-western counties of England, for which a 

 rental of only a few shillings per acre can at present be obtained, 

 Scotch fir, larch, spruce, and silver fir might be profitably grown. 



Scotch fir answers best for exposed situations ; larch should only 

 be planted where the severity of the wind is broken. Sycamore 

 is first amongst hardwoods for high and exposed areas ; ash comes 

 next ; oak and elm are worst. 



The average cost of making such plantations on the Scotch 

 moors, planted by the split method, and with small plants 

 from once transplanted seedlings, usually ranges from £4 to £Q 

 per acre. If fencing from rabbits has to be encountered, it may 

 involve an outlay of from £15 to £20 per acre. 



Eoads have to be provided so that the thinning may be carried 

 out without injury to the young plants. 



The planting time is from November to March ; but even if 

 operations are completed earlier in the season, it is best in March 

 to place soil round the stem and tread firm, so as to save loose- 

 rooted plants. 



We are indebted to The Field for the two following examples : — 



Mr. Coleman reports in the Blue-Book on Agricultural Depression, 

 regarding a plantation on 



SIR GEOKGE CAYLEY'S EBBEKSTONE ESTATE, 



in the North Eiding of Yorkshire. The old heather was burnt three 

 or four years before planting, in order that the young heather wliich 

 helps to shelter the young trees might get a start — -a furrow 9 in. 

 wide by 2 in. deep was made every 4 feet ; which was cut out 

 clean, and laid on the adjoining heather. A strongly-made subsoil 

 plough, drawn by four powerful oxen, follows, and not only breaks 

 through the pan immediately below, but dislocates it more or less 

 in the intervals between the furrows ; and so effectually is this 

 done that water no longer stands on the surface. Two men, with 

 the surface plough and a pair of horses, can get over four acres a 

 day ; and three men and four oxen can subsoil three acres a day. 

 This work is carried on during winter, and the land is left during 

 the summer exposed to the action of weather. Before planting the 

 next autumn, a special kind of drag with three strong tines, capable 

 of penetrating at least 1 2 in. beneath the surface, is worked once or 



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