Hints for Planters. 



By D. SYM SCOTT, Forester, Ballinacolrte, Tipperary. 



As planting forest trees will now be general, tlie following concise 

 remarks on the work maj prove instructive, and assist those about to 

 engage in the operation. 



The ground ought to be securely enclosed with a good ring fence. 



Draining should be finished some time before planting begins, so 

 that the ground has time to " drip." It should be remembered that 

 the necessity for draining arises from water rising to the surface in 

 springs, or, from the flatness of the ground, it is flooded with water 

 oozing out from higher land, and also from the retentive quality of the 

 subsoil a superabundance of water is located in the stratum imme- 

 diately beneath the surface. Stagnant water is extremely injurious 

 to trees, and draining should never be neglected. 



Clearing brush and other obstacles to planting may be done any 

 time previously to the time of planting, but moorland subject to rank 

 heath should always be burned some years before, so that a fine young 

 heathy swarth covers the surface, which affords valuable shelter to 

 small plants. 



The forester should ascertain as far as practicable the nature of the 

 soil, subsoil, and if possible the rocky formation, to enalile him to 

 distribute his plants judiciously over the ground, giving each individual 

 its locnle subsidiary v/ith correct arbori-chemical principles. It is 

 further necessary to be thoroughly conversant with the situation, to 

 allot such plants suitable for exposed aspects their proper place, that 

 as the trees grow up they may be beneficial. 



The next consideration is the number of the various kinds of 

 plants to form a mixed plantation, and also their size. Having exa- 

 mined the nature of the soil and its surface herbage, also having 

 decided on the tree intended to form the permanent crop, these will 

 give the best guide to go by. The hard wood need never be jDlanted 

 closer than 24 or 30 ft. apart. 



Several kinds of planting-irons (tools) are recommended, but a 

 common Scotch spade (the spade universally in use in Scotland is greatl}^ 

 superior to that in England or Ireland) is the best adapted for all 

 practical purposes. In removing plants from the nursery row great 

 care should be taken not to cause root fracture, more especially with 

 the resinous tribe. 



Pit planting is very common, but every variety of pitting has some 

 forcible objection to its use. The loosened earth admits of a greater 



