On Planting. 467 



the sea, and even attains large dimensions in such a situation. Its 

 wood is closer grained than that of the sycamore, and takes a higher 

 polish when used in household furniture, or for making bowls and 

 trenchers. 



One effect of the sea breeze upon vegetation is that the trees rise 

 gradually from the shore like the roof of a house, and do not attain 

 their full altitude for some distance inland. Their heads are thus 

 more or less flattened, and become very dense. This necessitates 

 careful thinning, so that the plantation shall break and soften the 

 winds instead of directing their full force to the higher trees. Tor 

 beyond the reach of the direct action of the saline matter the air is 

 softened and mellowed, and vegetation flourishes. 



In the reclamation of bog or mossy lands, for the purposes of the 

 planter, the first consideration is thorough drainage, which can be 

 effected only by good open ditches at intervals of not more than thirty 

 feet, and at depths proportioned to the thickness of the moss. Where 

 this is not more than five or six feet, it is better to cut completely 

 through it, and give the drains the benefit of a firm bottom : and as 

 the shrinkage or subsidence after the loss of water is great — some- 

 times amounting to more than one-third of the entire thickness — 

 there is no fear of the drains being too deep. During the second 

 year after the completion of the drainage the surface should be pared 

 off to the depth of several inches by the common paring plough, and 

 burnt after being completely dried. If the sods will not burn readily, 

 the addition of a little furze or other light fuel will generally give a 

 start. The danger, however, lies in over-burning, as by this means 

 all their virtue as manure for the young plants is lost. As soon as 

 they tumble to pieces, and the ashes assume a red or yellowish hue, 

 the firing should be stopped. If the operations of paring and burning 

 the whole surface be considered too expensive, the work may 

 be done in strips, or even confined to the more immediate vicinity of 

 the holes themselves. 



Upon all moss lands holing before planting is essential to the 

 sweetening and proper preparation of the soil. It also prevents the 

 cracking of the surface and the exposure of the roots in a dry 

 summer, which is no unusual occurrence where the plants are notched 

 in. If the holes are dug five or six months before planting, so much 

 the better for the future crop. Either before, or at the time of 

 planting, the ashes of the burnt sods should be well mixed with the 

 soil in the holes. Upon mossy lands where there is great poverty of 

 soil it will be advisable to plant larch alone at distances of from 

 2^ to 3 feet : these may afterwards be thinned out for the reception of 

 other trees as soon as they are large enough for use. In filling up for 

 his final crop, the planter must here as elsewhere be guided by the 



