Forest Work for the Month. 493 



sometimes do, above the level of the ground, the shoots obtain but 

 little nourishment from the roots, and are liable to injury from high 

 winds and falls of snow. 



AVhere clearance roads are "brushed," or covered with fagots, these 

 should be laid down before the ground is cut up, and as soon as they 

 can be obtained from the fall. When well laid and kept in their places 

 by a few sods, or a little ballast, or burnt soil strewed along the centre 

 of the track, they will make a good road throughout the winter, and 

 carry heavy loads. In most cases where the roads are good purchasers 

 will effect an early clearance. Erect barriers to limit purchasers to 

 th'e use of the appointed roads, and enforce a strict observance of the 

 conditions of sale. Very few "particulars" contain a clause binding 

 such purchasers to the performance of their work in a manner satis- 

 factory to the forester or woodreeve. 



The seeds of the Scotch pine, silver fir, Norway and spruce firs, 

 holly, and the oak may now be collected ; and such as are not sown 

 at once should be stowed away where they will have the benefit of a 

 dry and airy situation. Collect seeds of plane for sowiug in February 

 and March. 



Towards the end of the month fell birch, beech, sweet chestnut, and 

 alder, and strip off the bark as soon as fallen. To insure ash from 

 becoming worm-eaten, and also to preserve it from rot, it should be 

 felled between the middle of aSTovember and the end of January. 



November is a good time for grubbing or removing old hedges, 

 planting new ones, and cutting off, layering, or plashing such as have 

 through neglect become bare and hollow at the bottom. In layering 

 take care that the spurs are cut off smooth and even, and close to the 

 layered part. This will insure a more plentiful supply of new shoots 

 from below the partial severance. Secure all tree guards, and care- 

 fully examine newly washed trees. By grubbing old plantations early 

 we obtain the advantages of clearance in fine weather, time for drain- 

 age, and the benefits of frosts upon the soil. 



. The making and repairs of roads may be continued, and particular 

 attention should now be paid to their drainage, and to the sound- 

 ness of culverts or pinnocks before the winter floods come. CoUect 

 leaves for use in the nursery, and secure cuttings of all trees intended 

 to be so propagated. Eemove ash and beech from all woods intended 

 to be cultivated as coppice : nothing will live under them. Where 

 hedgerow timber has not already been pruned it should now be 

 trimmed up without delay, and the trimmings removed before the 

 adjoining lands are sown. Now is the time to clear rushes and the 

 willow herb EpiloUuni hirsutum from the margins of streams, and 

 otherwise to scour their channels. 



TluckUy, Kent. A. J. BuBKOWS. 



VOL. I. 2 m 



