298 FOBEST WOBK FOB THE MONTH. [Feb. 



Plant up Hawtborn hedges without delay. Upon poor land it seldom 

 makes a satisfactory fence alone ; and in such situations it would be 

 advisable to use a large proportion of Beech. Complete the cutting 

 over, or ribbing in of neglected or overgrown hedges, and see to the 

 state of fences generally. 



Continue the felling of timber and the thinning of plantations as 

 before recommended. This is a good time to fell hardwoods, the 

 stools of which are wished to be reproductive ; complete the same, 

 however, before any movement of the sap. Thin out coppice and 

 dispose of, and deliver timber. Continue preparing a supply of 

 timber as far as possible for estate purposes, firewood, &c., for 

 home consum|)tion. 



In the nursery, complete the transplanting of Oak, Beech, &c., 

 pruning off tap and straggling roots carefully, retaining as much 

 earth as possible. This operation will ensure the success of the 

 plants when planted out the following or succeeding year. Cover 

 the roots well, but in all cases avoid deep planting. Forward 

 general nursery work, such as the transplanting of the Alder 

 and larger stuff, digging between lines to remain undisturbed ; turn 

 over, fork up, and prepare gi'ound for seed beds, and sow Beech, 

 Ash, Elm, &c., as weather permits. Avoid these operations as much 

 as possible when the ground is charged with too much moisture. 

 ISIake an early selection of young stock for the nursery. Clean up, 

 dig and dress shrubberies ; complete repairs on walks and roads 

 where still unfinished, and prosecute ground- work improvements. 



D. Scott. 

 Darnawcy, N'B. 



IRELAND. 



The month just closed has been one of the mildest Januarys on 

 record ; many wild Howers, such as Primroses, Furze, &c., are in full 

 bloom, and Khododendrons are blowing freely in the gardens. With 

 such a stretch of fine weather forest planting is far advanced, and any 

 still to finish should be pushed forward as fast as possible. Planting in 

 the nursery should now be prosecuted with vigour, endeavouring, if 

 possible, to get through with it before the present favourable weather 

 changes to worse. Dry weather, when free from frost, facilitates plant- 

 ing operations, whether in the nursery or in the forest. Continue the 

 felling of timber, as recommended in this column last month, but 

 all pruning operations should now be suspended until later on in 

 the summer, particularly with such trees as bleed profusely. 



Continue splashing overgrown hedges, and in doing so preserve 

 all the young shoots to weave in and out among the older stumps 



