1885.] FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. 273 



f'oREST Work for the Month. 



ENGLAND. 



PLANTATIONS. — Clear, drain, and fence all land intended to be 

 planted during the ensuing season. Dig pits where the soil 

 is ungenial, cast the soil out of them, and leave them exposed to 

 the mellowing influence of the weather till the planting season 

 arrives. Let the holes dug he big ; those intended for oaks or 

 other valuable hardwood trees ought not to he less than 18 

 inches diameter by 1 5 inches deep, with tlie " pan " or subsoil at 

 the bottom broken up with a foot-pick, so as to allow surface 

 water freely to percolate down into the subsoil. See tliat rank 

 vegetation does not impede the growth of young trees. 



Pruning. — Forest trees as well as ornamental trees and shrubs, 

 which have finished their summer's growth, may now be pruned 

 so too may hedges. Also keep all young hedges clear of rank 

 weeds and grass. 



Nursery. — Keep the digging-fork, hoe, and rake in constant 

 operation. About the latter end of the month, transplant ever- 

 greens, choosing cloudy, moist weather for the operation ; also pro- 

 pagate by layering such shrubs as are stooled out, and continue 

 budding ornamental trees. Look over ornamental trees which 

 were transplanted during last spring, and see that all the ties, 

 stakes, or other supports are in good order, and not cutting or 

 chafing the bark, re-tying where necessary to withstand the autumn 

 gales. W. E. 



SCOTLAND. 



PEELING larch or barking wood for seats and fancy work, 

 which was not overtaken last month, should be finished, as 

 the bark now begins to set, and thereafter peeling is rendered 

 impracticable except by an expensive process. 



Dead and broken branches, and especially dry withered ones, 

 should be removed from amongst the green foliage of the tree, and 

 the wounds dressed so as to be as near the colour of the natural 

 bark as possible. As a rule, for this purpose, painting with Arch- 

 angel tar, and thereafter rubbing over with a sandy turf, answers 

 well ; and is both cheap, easily applied, and effective. The policies 

 at this season, which are often in charge of the forester, require 

 constant attention. See that no branches are hano-iuo- too low for 

 the carriage on the drives, which should always be 16 feet clear, or 

 the head on the walks, which should be 8 feet clear. 



