Forest Work for the Month. 185 



nothing else that we know of is the old saying more true than " a 

 stitch in time saves nine." 



Look over and see that no spring-planted trees are suffering for 

 want of water, and the ties of grafts should be examined and taken 

 off where the union of the stock and scion is complete, and at the 

 same time all growths or suckers from the stock should be clean 

 rubbed off, and be careful to see that the graft is secure from being 

 damaged by the wind. 



About the end of the month is generally the best season for bud- 

 ding trees, as the young bark then rises freely, and is in the best 

 state for manipulating, and the buds " take " quickly while the sap 

 is still in full flow. In about ten days or a fortnight after the opera- 

 tion has been performed, the ties which secure the buds should 

 be slackened and re-tied, as they are liable to become too tight 

 and injure both stock and bud. If the stock is vigorous and growing 

 freely, the bud will have " taken " in about a month after it is put on, 

 when the ties ought to be entirely removed. 



ENGLAND. 



We regret that tlie special remarks on the work for the month in 

 England have not come to hand in time for insertion in this number. 



SCOTLAND. 



Erom all parts of Scotland we have received the most favourable 

 accounts of the oak peeling operations carried on during the last two 

 months, the dry, warm weather being everything that could be 

 desired. Erom Scotland we learn that the bark season has been very 

 short, owing to the late spring and the extraordinarily rapid growth of 

 the trees, and consequent rapid elaboration of the sap, caused by the 

 great heat of the sun in an almost unclouded sky. The peeling season 

 being now virtually over, the drying and securing of the bark should 

 be carefully attended to, and no effort should be spared in turning 

 and exposing it to the sun, and getting it either stacked or carted off 

 to the tanner when properly dried. 



Those foresters who have charcoal to make should now begin to do 

 so, as the men are all the better for the long daylight while watching 

 the kilns during the night. This duty will also necessitate the carting 

 in of a quantity of peeled oak for charring purposes, and it is of much; 

 importance to the men in charge of the work to have the wood laid- 

 down to them in proper order. There should at least be three 

 different sizes for an ordinary kiln, and when these are kept separate 



