188G.] FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. TU'J 



afterwards be necessary. Hoe and clean weeds from all recently 

 planted hedges, and continue tliis work as often as necessity 

 demands during the summer. 



Woods and Plantations. — We presume all forest planting has 

 been completed, although some evergreens may still be transplanted 

 successfully. Examine the trees in all newly formed plantations, 

 setting upright loose plants, and tramping the soil firmly around 

 the stems. Clear away from growing trees all broken, dead, or 

 decaying branches, and clean up the debris of last season's cuttings 

 from woods and coppices. Finish trimming evergreen shrubs and 

 hedges, and trim up ivy on walls ; the fresh foliage will soon cover 

 the nakedness caused by the operation. 



Nursery. — All nursery work requires to be conducted witli 

 energy. Transplanting should be speedily finished. All sorts oi 

 conifeice seeds should Ije sown during the month ; in the southern 

 part of the country about the middle of the month, in the northern 

 about u week or ten days later, according to weather and other 

 circumstances. Excess of rain immediately after sowing may destroy 

 the vitality of larch and pine seeds. Protect seed-beds from birds 

 by some efficient covering that, while protecting the seeds, will 

 admit sufficient light and air. Weed the seed-beds of last year, 

 and dig the alleys. Continue digging between the rows of trees, 

 and keep the ground clear of weeds. Young nursery stock is liable 

 to be injured ])y late frosts, and should be protected in some way. 

 The object is to sliade the plants from the morning sun until the 

 frost is gradually dispelled, and this may be attained by twigs of 

 laurel, spruce, or anything else that will sift the sun's rays and 

 prevent the full glare from falling immediately upon the plants. 



Oak Peeling. — Oaks for the season's fall should be marked early 

 in the month. In the event of genial weather following the colds 

 of the first half of March, vegetation may advance rapidly, and 

 the oaks be early in season for peeling. In stripping, beat the 

 bark upon the tree as little as possible, as such bruising of tlie 

 Ijark deteriorates its quality. In horsing the bark for drying, lie 

 careful to keep the inner or fleshy side down, and only expose the 

 rough external surface to the sun and weather ; and use the larger 

 pieces to cover the smaller, as a thatching to throw off rain. 



A. Paterson. 



Paultons, Romsky, Ha.mv.shiue. 



