1884.] FOBEST WOBK FOB THE MONTH. 373 



Planting operations ought now to be advanced with vigour, so as 

 to be completed as soon as possible. During the harsh dry winds 

 usual in March every care should be taken to prevent the roots being 

 injured. When transplanting large plants puddle about the roots 

 liberally, especially if the weather be dry. This is very important to 

 success, and should never be neglected. 



Thorn and other live i'ences should be planted, if at all, early in the 

 month. These are too often left unplanted until late in spring, with 

 the result a weakly, sick-looking growth and very unsatisfactory 

 appearance. All gaps should be made good by splashing down 

 shoots from either side, or by inserting new plants. It is wearing 

 late in the season for much splashing now, but if attended to early 

 may still be done. 



Continue cutting and clearing away underwood, but finish before 

 the end of the month. Finish falling hardwood trees early ; but 

 Conifer may be cut for some time. 



Towards the end of the month commence pruning young^ coppice. 

 The shorts should be thinned out and trimmed well up, with 

 straggling shorts removed. 



Finish all planting in the nursery, and get the ground dressed up 

 in a workmanlike manner. Sow in beds, but not broadcast. Thorn, 

 Beech, Holly, Birch, Ash, Sycamore, and similar seeds, in f^round 

 previously well prepared. 



Estate fences of all kinds will need looking after, and, where 

 necessary, repaired, to prevent trespass from live-stock, comin<T on 

 the spring. Grass in plantations being somewhat fresh at this season 

 it forms a great temptation to stock to break througli and steal. 



Tipperary. D. Sym Scott. 



WALES. 



Wherever the planting of forest-trees has not been finished, no time, 

 should be lost in bringing such work to a close during the present 

 month. Beat up young plantations where plants of recent planting 

 have failed or been otherwise destroyed. Plants of moderate size 

 may be used for such work, as they will have the benefit of their 

 previously planted neighbours to shelter them. When such plants 

 are used it will help to maintain the uniformity of the plantation. 

 Attend to recently-planted trees, and see that they are kept in an 

 upright position. Owing to the late gales trees of large size that 

 have been recently transplanted will be likely to have suffered, and 

 likely to require their stakes or moorings adjusted. 



The cutting of underwood and the thinning of hardwood planta- 



