1883.] FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. 67 



before the lands become saturated by the rains we may expect at this 

 season of the year. 



A. Paterson. 

 Hunstrete, Pensford, Bristol. 



SCOTLAND. 



General planting operations should now be pushed forward whera 

 soil and situation are favourable for being operated on at this season. 

 On all soils with a grassy surface the turf should be pared off before 

 the plant is inserted. In all extensive enclosures spaces for main 

 roads should be marked off and left unplanted, and when the weather 

 is unfavourable for planting the hands employed might with advan- 

 tage be occupied in forming these roadways. 



Continue the cutting of Pine and Fir timber and the thinning of 

 plantations. Young plantations should be well thinned on the 

 outsides, especially on the windward side, so that the trees left may 

 have space to branch low and root well, and thus be in a better 

 condition to resist destructive winds, and to exclude them in a great 

 measure from the interior uf the plantations. Those plantations 

 which have not been thus treated in a young state must ever after- 

 wards be very sparingly thinned in their margins. 



Continue the trimming of hedges, and complete the same as soon 

 as possible. Plant young hedges of Hawthorn and Beech in well- 

 prepared beds, and make good all gaps in existing hedges. Upon 

 light dry soils a good proportion of Beech should be used. Clear up 

 and burn the prunings as the work of trimming proceeds. 



Dig, trench, or ridge up all vacant plots in the nursery ; transplant, 

 if convenient, the larger stuff not to be turned out. Seedlings, in 

 my opinion, should not be laid in the spring. Leaves may now be 

 collected and carted to convenient places to rot. 



Ditches and the mouths of closed drains should receive attention 

 where the falling leaves are likely to obstruct the flow of the water. 



Draining or other necessary preparations for spring planting should 

 be continued where yet uncompleted. 



Metal roads, gravel drives and walks as the work can be over 

 taken, and proceed with groundwork improvements. 



Darnaway, N.B. D. Scott. 



lEELAND. 



Felling heavy timber should now be commenced. All kinds, except 

 Oak, which may be kept for the sake of the bark, can now be cut and 

 removed. Trees to be removed from pleasure grounds, and in the fields 



