468 The yournal of Forestry. 



situation and the quality of the land. Where vegetable matter pre- 

 ponderates, and that to a great depth, spruce and Scotch fir will 

 answer. In high situations, and where there is a large per-centage of 

 siliceous matter, the Scotch fir is alone adapted, or it may be planted 

 in conjunction with the birch, both of which flourish at almost any 

 elevation. Where the moss is largely mixed with other substances, 

 and rests upon a sub-stratum of clay, the usual mode of planting 

 moist situations may be adopted, using the cluster pine, Scotch 

 spruce, and silver fir, poplar, and willow. Where proper drainage 

 cannot be insured it will be best to depend mainly upon the alder, 

 birch, willow, and poplar. Upon shallow mosses, with a good bottom, 

 the elm and ash will flourish, and even the peduncled oak some- 

 times attains good dimensions. To keep down weeds, close planting 

 and a little timely attention will be necessary. 



In situations where it becomes necessary to plant for a permanent 

 screen, the spruce and silver firs make a good front line, as their 

 leaders may be shortened so as to secure greater density of under- 

 growth. Immediately behind these should be a breadth of such 

 coppice wood as is best adapted to the situation, and which should 

 stretch back and intermix with the belt of high trees. By cutting 

 down one-half the breadth of coppice wood every five or six years a 

 regular blind is secured. 



i Upon the banks of streams, or in other wet situations, where the 

 expense of fencing is not. considered desirable, an effective screen 

 may be obtained by driving in stout stakes of alder, as the bitterness 

 of the foliage generally secures it from the browsing of cattle and 

 sheep. The sallow, or common white willow (Salix alba), may also be 

 used for the purpose ; but of it, tall poles of six or seven feet in length 

 should be selected, so as to place the shoots beyond the reach of 

 cattle and horses. Both kinds grow quickly, and afford great pro- 

 tection to the banks by defending them from the denuding action of 

 currents. The wood of the alder is valuable for making gunpowder, 

 clogs, and lasts ; and when of large dimensions, for piles. 



From the commencement of a plantation it is always necessary to 

 keep in view its ultimate extent, and so dispose each part as to secure 

 in the end one harmonious whole. In order to accomplish this 

 it will be necessary at the beginning to lay down a good working 

 plan, from which there should be as few deviations as possible. 

 Though variety in al] plantations is highly desirable, yet the hetero- 

 geneous admixture of all hardwoods, irrespective of their habits of 

 growth, methods of treatment, and adaptability to the soil, is as wrong 

 in principle as it proves disastrous in practice. To plant in this way, 

 under the plea that a full occupation of the ground is thereby 

 secured, is an act unworthy of the skill of the modern forester, who 



