424 The yoitrnal of Forestry. 



necessitate a run home to the grinding stone if anything should 

 happen to one or other of his tools. 



Look over nursery stock, and select the plants required for planting 

 operations during the incoming winter. See that such stock is kept 

 clear of weeds so as to give it every chance to fully mature its growth. 



Dalkeith Parle. Egbert Baxter. 



lEELAND. 



General forest work should now be carried on with vigour. Thin 

 all sorts of plantations where required. lu conducting this work no 

 forester should allow himself to be persuaded that nnless he follow 

 certain prescribed rules he will invariably go astray. Never cut a 

 sound healthy tree as long as a tainted, diseased one remains in the 

 forest, is the best axiom to be guided by. When thinning, draw a 

 proper supply of fencing material to the wood yard, and during wet 

 days have it manufactured into posts, rails, gates, &c. By this plan 

 workmen will on wet days be kept profitably employed. 



The past extraordinarily wet season has rendered the saving of turf, 

 our staple fuel, impossible. Foresters should therefore embrace the 

 opportunity, and dispose of all brush strewn on the ground without 

 delay. On estates carrying out a regular system, the annual expenses 

 of ten or twelve men are more than paid by the proceeds of auctions 

 of fuel. Old hedges should now be renewed by " cutting over " and 

 plashing. 



Springs being now opened, ground recently drained should be 

 looked over to see if any extra drains are required. Plantation roads 

 also require to be examined, and any water flowing over them turned 

 off. This is particularly so with new-made roads, as the side drains 

 may not be quite effective. 



A good deal may now be done -in the nursery. As plants are 

 removed to permanent situations, empty spaces should be top-dressed 

 with a rich compost previously prepared, and replanted with seedlings 

 from the seed-beds. Seeds should be gathered as they ripen, and put 

 in the rot heap or stove for spring sowing. 



It is important that every gentleman's nursery be well stocked 

 with thorns. Growing thorns from cuttings is very simple. When 

 stubbing out old hedges, take cuttings off the roots and plant in the 

 nursery : they will the next season throw up a luxuriant growth. 



On the farm, open watercourses ought to be inspected, and obstruc- 

 tions removed. Commence deep tile draining, make new and alter 

 and repair old roads, gravel carriage drives, and make new ones where 



