708 FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. [Mar. 



Thinning should also terminate early, as tlie trees become very 

 sensitive to cold currents of air suddenly set into circulation amongst 

 them ; and the early appearance of epicorniic branches upon their 

 stems indicates the injury they have sustained from their late and 

 rapid exposure. Whenever epicormic branches develop themselves, 

 they should be repeatedly dressed off, until they cease to grow at all. 

 Their unchecked development often causes premature maturity in 

 the tree, and materially depreciates the quality and value of the 

 timber. A. Paterson. 



Paultons, Romsey, Hampshire. 



SCOTLAND. 



IT is desirable to have all timber and wood of every description cut 

 off the root by the end of the present month. It is of small 

 importance at what season timber is cut as affects the duramen or 

 heartwood of the tree, but it is otherwise in regard to young trees 

 and sapwood, which should always be cut when the sap is dormant, 

 or at least nearest to it, for it is doubtful if it is ever perfectly at 

 rest. 



The sapwood of oak cut in winter, and used with the bark on, 

 has been known to last two and sometimes three times longer than 

 it does when peeled. The bark, however, being itself a strong pro- 

 tection against decay, may to some extent at least account for the 

 difference of duration of the wood. 



Holly for whip handles, walking-sticks, and other purposes 

 where shrinkage of the bark is detrimental, and underwood of all 

 kinds, osier or basket willows, should all be cut before the sap 

 begins to expand the bark. 



Planting where not finished should be prosecuted with all dili- 

 gence, for it should be borne in mind that every day's delay entails 

 so much additional risk of failure, and renders general success less 

 certain. Spring planting, however, though less certain of success 

 than that of autumn, is yet not altogether without its compensating 

 benefits, for while many plants planted in autumn are eaten by rabbits, 

 spring planted ones often escape. 



Nursery work of all kinds now require the closest attention ; 

 grafting, lifting, planting, digging, preparing ground for seed, sowing, 

 etc., all require to be done without delay. 



Hedges should be gone over with suitable plants, and all blanks 

 and failures made good. Pruning, too, where not completed, should be 

 so, and if at any time this department falls behind, additional hands 

 should rather be employed than allow the work to be done hurriedly, 



