1885.] FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. 67 



Fences. — Make regular and repeated examinations of the fences 

 around the woods, and see that they are kept in efficient repair. 

 Give very particular attention to young thorn hedges, hoeing and 

 digging along their bottoms to keep tliem free from weeds. In 

 planting holly hedges during this month, the roots should be puddled 

 and well watered. During very dry weather, the watering of all 

 kinds of young hedges may be of much service to ensure their 

 success. Fences of bricks, or stones and mortar, that were erected 

 during the winter, when the pointing-in could not be judiciously 

 done, should now be pointed and finished. 



Plantations. — Trees that have been propagated in pots may 

 now be planted out into soils and positions best suited to their 

 full development, and protected by stakes, etc. Look carefully 

 through recently-planted young plantations, especially after a heavy 

 rain succeeding a track of drought ; and have all the cracks in the 

 soil around the plants tramped up, and the plants set erect and 

 firmed in that position. 



The labourers on an estate are sometimes allowed to dig amongst 

 the trees in young plantations, and crop between the rows with 

 potatoes, etc., under the pretence of keeping down weeds. I do not 

 approve of this ; and have frequently seen its mischievous effects, 

 more especially in dry seasons, and when the greed of the digger led 

 him to crop too close to the trees. Where weeds grow in greater 

 luxuriance than the young trees, the timely application of a hook 

 amongst the rough herbage that confines the plants, is a cheap and 

 effective method of afford incf them lig;ht and air. 



Owing to the dry and cold airs of March and April, the flow of 

 sap has been retarded, and the barking season rendered later than 

 ordinary. , Where large falls of oak have to be made, this may 

 prolong peeling operations to the end of the month. In coppice 

 woods it is of great importance to clear np, and clear out the whole 

 of the cuttings as speedily as possible, to allow the stools to shoot 

 afresh. 



NuESERY. — Finish sowing pine and fir seeds this month ; and 

 while the weather is suitable, keep the hoes and rakes going in the 

 destruction of weeds. Eun a light roller of the hard surface of 

 seed-beds. Begin weeding as soon as the plants appear ; early work 

 of this kind ensures the growth and success of the plants. 



A. Pateesox. 



Paultons, Romsey, Hampshire. 



