1831] 



l^OREST WOBK FOB THE MONTE. 



217 





ENGLAND. 



.HIS, the first month of the year, is generally the coldest 

 throughout the year. The westerly winds, which usually carry 

 with them some of the mild influence of the Gulf Stream, 

 are about this time frequently replaced by easterly and northerly 

 currents, which bring with them some of the rigours of the icy 

 north, filling up our woodland paths and drifting up our hollows with 

 snow. The quantity of rain which falls is subject to great variation, 

 and is generally greatest when westerly and south-westerly winds 

 prevail, approaching to about 3| inches ; whilst t]:e evaporation 

 during the month only amounts to about half an inch. 



Okchaed. — Fruit-tree planting should be pushed forward as fast 

 as the ground can be prepared for the trees, and the weather suitable 

 for planting. Should the subsoil be stiff and wet, drains made 

 between the rows of trees may prove of great advantage, as a cold, 

 retentive, undrained subsoil is most unfavourable for the healthy de- 

 velopment of the plants. Continue the pruning of orchard trees, 

 and also gooseberry and currant bushes. Draw the earth away from 

 the stems, and from under the gooseberry and currant trees after 

 pruning, and bury it in the centre between the rows, from which 

 fresh soil may be taken to replace that scraped away. This pro- 

 ceeding is in some measure a preventive of the pioduction of 

 caterpillars. 



Woods and Tlantations. — Planting should be pushed on as the 

 weather and circumstances will permit, so that little of this work 

 should be left for completion in the following month. 



Cut down underwood, and shred out coppice wocds ; and also 

 proceed with ordinary thinning and pruning, I ;it in pruning avoid 



