Forest Work for the Month. 577 



We are most particular on this point, ami always rewarded with very 

 few failures in our planting. No tree pays equal to larch ; it succeeds 

 well here, is a rapid grower, its first thinnings bring a good price, and 

 being comparatively free from disease it should be more extensively 

 planted. 



Transplanting operations should now be deferred, unless on very 

 dry ground, until spring, when the weather will be more genial, and 

 the ground less soddened with rain for the roots to strike in ; but if 

 found necessary to remove a tree or shrub to admit of improvement or 

 alterations being carried on, it should be planted in dry friable earth. 



Many of our plantations being game covert, and as woodcock and 

 pheasant shooting will be chiefly over early in the month, much should 

 be done, in cutting and clearing where required. Heading down is 

 extremely prevalent among amateurs, but the practice has a pernicious 

 effect on the under cover. When improving the under cover, cut 

 as close to the ground as can conveniently be done, as when such is 

 the case, the suckers receiving their nourishment from the parent 

 root rise more vigorous, and altogether make a superior cover. 



All alterations and extensions in the pleasure-ground should now be 

 carried on. During hard frost or snow cut and remove any trees 

 intended to be dispensed with on the lawn or in the park. 

 Continue felling heavy timber and disposing of the firewood delay. 



In the nursery, lift and plant in line all layers, at the same time 

 layer for a succession of plants. Dig roughly over all ground from 

 which plants has already baen removed. Nursery grovmd cannot be 

 too much aerated and pulverized. Continue laying plants during 

 fine weather, but on no account plant in wet weather. Gather all 

 sorts of Conifer^e cones, and keep them in a dry, well-aired loft, 

 perfectly secure from mould or damp. Collect softer seeds from 

 ornamental trees and shrubs, dry them, and lay past carefully. On 

 the farm, plash hedges, and plant new ones. Screen gravel and 

 repair roads. Finish draining as soon as possible, not to delay spring 

 ploughing, and keep all fences in good repair. 



Ballinacourte, Tipperary. D. Sym Scott. 



WALES. 



Although the past month has been very wet, the open and mild 

 weather has been most favourable for planting operations on upland 

 and dry ground. Continue fencing, draining, clearing and preparing 

 ground, and planting as recommended last month, according to the 

 stat of the weather. In planting thin or mountain land, and exposed 



