21-0 FOREST WORK FOR THE MONTH. [Jan., 



IRELAND. 



Continue the thinning of young plantations and the felling of large 

 trees in fields and al)out tlie policies. Jfemove the cut timljer as soon 

 as possible, especially whatever is lying in the fields and has to be 

 carted through them. All cutting of hedgerow trees ought to be com- 

 pleted before the end of this month, and removed without delay to 

 somewhere oiitside the field. All hedges should be splashed and 

 trimmed where necessary, and gaps filled up. If thick, close, 

 serviceable fences are desired, this work should never be delayed 

 bcyitndthe end of the current month. 



All ground operations, such as drainage and road-making, should 

 be forwarded with every energy, as agricultural work will soon 

 occupy such hours as may have been employed from the farm. The 

 same remark applies to repairing of avenues, gravelling walks, and 

 the carting of road metal. AVhile the weather is open, push ahead 

 with planting in the nursery : there is notliing e(|ual to early phuit- 

 ing of seedlings. If a fine stubby growth is desired, the plants 

 should be one-year seedling Larch, and two-year seedling Scotch Eir, 

 planted in rows of eight or nine inches apart, to admit of an easy 

 hoeing when clearing during the summer. All plants should have 

 plent}^ of room to finish well out in the nursery, and where such is tlie 

 case they always turn out healthy and strong when the time comes 

 for planting in situ. 



D. Sym Scott, 

 Ballinacoart, Tippcrary. 



WALES. 



The open weather and absence of frost during the greater part of the 

 past month have been favourable for planting light and dry soils in 

 slieltered situations. On the other hand, the severe storms of wind 

 and rain have been more or less against planting stiff and tenacious 

 soils in exposed situations. Ground of a clayey or stiff nature should 

 not, if possible, be planted during wet weather. During favourable 

 weather and like circumstances the i^lanting of forest trees may be 

 continued ; also the preparing of ground for planting in the spring 

 by fencing, clearing, draining, and any other necessary preparations 

 of the soil to receive the young plants. 



Continue the thinning of plantations and the cutting of underwood ; 

 also the felling of hedgerow and park trees (Oak excepted), and, if 

 possible, finishing up during the present month. Continue as last 

 month the binding of faggots, and prepare other firewood for sale or 



