1885.] IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. 41 



and excavated earth forming a bank which would constitute part of 

 the fence. If this is done, the lowest wire could be dispensed with, 

 six wires being sufficient (see Fig. 6). The cost of the fence without 

 ditch, including all outlays, with ordinary cartage, would be about 

 Is. per lineal yard; including ditch, and dispensing witli the lower 

 wire, would cost about Is. 2d. per lineal yard. The weiglit of 

 material for each mile of this fence is about 2^ tons. 



Having said so much regarding what we consider the most 

 economic and substantial enclosures for plantations, we would, before 

 leaving this part of our subject, impress upon those who are about 

 to enter upon such an undertaking, the importance of having such 

 enclosures erected in the most workmanlike manner, of the very best 

 material ; for if the work should be carelessly executed, there is 

 endless outlay attached to it, and the enclosed trees are never secure 

 from the inroads of sheep and cattle. Having the land well fenced, 

 the next important step in order to fit it for the reception of the 

 young plants is drainage. 



III. — Drainage and the Formation of Boads. 



It is found quite unnecessary in almost all large enclosures to 

 drain all the land, and in many cases very little of it requires draining ; 

 nevertheless, the draining of wet spots, however small, should by no 

 means be neglected, as there is no preparation of the soil of so much 

 advantage to the healthy growth of young trees. Many of the 

 failures in our young plantations are attributable to the want of 

 proper drainage. Any person of experience can easily mark out 

 those parts that require to be drained, by the general appearance of 

 the land and the plants that naturally grow upon it. The dimen- 

 sions of the drains require to be regulated by the nature of the land. 

 Where it is very wet, they require to be deeper and closer set to one 

 another. On not over wet land a distance of 15 to 20 yards apart 

 would suffice. Main drains should be about 2^ feet deep, 30 inches 

 wide at top, and 10 inches at base, and tributaries from 18 to 20 

 inches deep. Where moorband pan is in course of formation, the 

 land should be drained two years before planting, so that the soil 

 may be freed from stagnant water, and made porous to the admission 

 of air and rain-water, both of which are powerful agents in assisting 

 to break it up and check its formation. Stagnant water, in con- 

 junction with the iron in the soil, is the chief agent in the formation 

 of pan. 



It should be always observed that where the soil is of a clayey or 

 peaty nature, drains should be deeper and closer set than on open 

 light soils. Great personal discrimination should be used in laying 



D 



