1884.] FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. 151 



foREST Work for the Month. 



ENGLAND. 



THE meteorological character of December is somewhat similar 

 to that of the preceding month ; S.W. winds are prevalent 

 mostly during the early part of the month, while frost and snow are 

 the usual concomitants of the festive season towards its end. 



The mean rainfall is from 21 to 2i inches, and the evaporation 

 about §rds of an inch. During December last year (1883), the 

 actual rainfall on the edge of the Mendip Hills was 2'39 inches. 

 The rainfall for the whole year, registered at the same place, was 

 45-16 inches, while in the previous year (1882), the same register 

 showed a rainfall of 57'42 inches. 



Plant life during this month is mostly in a state of profound 

 repose, although in mild seasons a few of the autumnal flowering 

 plants continue their blooms even beyond the end of the month. 

 Evergreen shrubs, and some of the evergreen herbs, contribute 

 features of refreshing verdure to our gardens and grounds, whilst a 

 few add a richer additional feature of floral grandeur. 



Orchard. — Continue — ^while the weather is open — to plant and 

 prune fruit-trees, and push the pruning of gooseberries, currants, and 

 raspberries. Dig up roughly stiff soils, so as to expose as much 

 surface as possible to the action of the weather, during winter. 

 Securely support lately-planted trees, and repair and strengthen tree 

 guards. 



Eenges. — ^The instructions given for last month are equally 

 applicable for this and the two following months ; pushing on the 

 work while the weather is most favourable. 



Drains.— Continue the drainage of agricultural lands, and see 

 that the work is carried on in a systematic and efficient manner, 

 according to a well-digested plan. Examine all previously-made 

 drains; keep their outlets open, and the ditches into which they 

 discharge, cleanly scoured out. 



Examine all open wood drains, ditches, and watercourses ; clear- 

 ing out accumulations of branches, leaves, and other obstructions to 

 the free flow of their waters, that overflowing may be prevented or 

 reduced to a minimiim. 



EoADS. — Eepair roads when necessary, and see that all stones 

 used in making these repairs are properly broken before being 

 spread upon the roads. A method of repairing country roads that 

 I have sometimes seen adopted, is to tip down the rough stones 

 upon the roads, spread them out, and afterwards break them upon 



