1885.] FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. 313 



p'oREST Work for the Month. 



ENGLAND. 



IN some years the weather during this month is liighly favourable 

 for work in the nursery and forest, hut it often presents itself 

 in an entirely opposite character. At any time it is uncertain, 

 fitful, and changeable. The rainfall is also very variable, not only 

 in different years, but in different parts of the kingdom not widely 

 separated from each other ; and, generally, the western division of 

 the country receives the pluvial favours in greater abundance than 

 the eastern. 



In February last year, rain fell in the neighbourhood of Bristol on 

 18 days, to a depth of 1'85 inches. 



At Glasgow, on 21 days, to a depth of 5'43 inches. 

 At Greenwich, on 13 days, to a depth of 1'50 inches. 

 At Edinburgh, on 12 days, to a depth of 1"55 inches. 



The rainfalls at Greenwich and Edinburgh were almost equal. 

 Bristol and Glasgow do not differ widely in the number of days 

 upon which rain fell at these places, but they vary largely in 

 quantity. 



I see " Udiven," a I'lymouthian prophet, predicts that the latter 

 half of February will be very stormy. Let us hope his predictions 

 apply only to the district of his Devonian homo, and that the rest 

 of the country may be spared the predicted infliction. 



Okchaed. — Finish planting and pruning, and early in the month 

 bestow manure abundantly on those parts of the orchard that require 

 it. I observe orchard trees — apples particularly — in several parts 

 of the country infested with moss, while in other parts they seem to 

 glor)'' in a luxuriant garb of hoary hchens. The free admission of 

 air by removing shading timber, thinning and pruning the orchard 

 trees, and enriching the ground by top-dressings and manure, 

 counteracts the influences under which these undesirable adherents 

 flourish. A good scrubbing of the stems and larger limbs with a 

 stiff brush, followed by a washing of hot hme, will kill many 

 insects that infest the trees, and destroy the luxuriance of the 

 lichens and moss. 



Fences. — The planting of thorn should finish before the end of 

 the month, and the cutting and laying of hedges of all sorts should 

 be brought to a close. 



"Woods. — Those operations recommended for last month may be 

 continued in this, under favourable conditions of the weather. 



