lU FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. [Dec, 



very dry soils have yet to be cropped. The transplanting of evergreen 

 shrubs should at all events be suspended, and all necessary prepara- 

 tions for spring planting completed as soon as possible. 



The thinning of young plantations from which saleable stuff can 

 be taken should be pushed on, as this is the season that the produce 

 of such can best be disposed of. I might here remark that line 

 cutting and careful peeling should be insisted on. The leaving of 

 high stumps or stools is not only a loss of timber, but they soon 

 become very unsightly, and even dangerous to locomotion. 



Fell hedgerow timber, and root out standard trees from policy 

 grounds, fields, &c., where desirable, so that the whole may be 

 removed during dry or frosty weather. 



Mark and dispose of Birchwood to be felled during the season, 

 and deliver as required or agreed. 



Cut and manufacture, as far as possible, a supply of timber for 

 estate purposes. Too much of our home timber is used in the erection 

 and repairs of buildings in a green state ; its lasting qualities are 

 thereby deteriorated, and very frequently unfairly represented. 



Continue the dressing of hedges ; remove accumulations of leaves 

 from drains where their presence is likely to cause flooding ; and 

 collect all convenient for compost. See to th conditions of roads, 

 clean up mud and leaves, and lay gravel or metal where required. 



In the nursery continue to turn over roughly or ridge-up ground as 

 it becomes vacant. Plant layers and cuttings of deciduous trees, and 

 forward general nursery work as much as possible. 



The cones of Larch and Scotch Fir may be collected by the 

 middle of the month; and also the berries of Hawthorn, Holly and 

 Mountain Ash, 



In my last month's notes, instead of * Seedlings, in my opinion, 

 should not be laid in the spring ' please read, ^mi^l the spring. 



Darnaway, N.B. D. ScOTT. 



lEELAND. 



The work of tree planting ought by this time to be well advanced, 

 so that the work will be well in hand for the spring month. Continue 

 the felling of heavy timber, trimming shrubberies, and making 

 alterations, also arterial drainage. Prepare material for repairing 

 roads, and as horses are generally available this month, have road 

 metal carted to depots convenient to where required. Eaise gravel 

 for avenues and walks, and forward such work as much as possible 

 before the end of the mouth. Planting in the nursery should never 

 be omitted during favourable weather, but ought not to be gone on 



