Forest Work for the Aloiith. 187 



and will make very clean and smooth work if skilfully handled. On 

 box and privet hedges, however, it will be necessary to use the shears, 

 as they have not stability enough to resist the stroke of the knife: 

 Foresters would do well to keep an eye on the thistles wdiich spring 

 up so luxuriantly on the borders of plantations, and have them dug up 

 by the root before they flower, as the seeds of these plants not only 

 travel far, but are also sure to lodge themselves where they are not 

 wanted. The same remarks apply to all other strong growing weeds, 

 docks, nettles, and such like nuisances in plantations. 



lEELAND. 



This is a good time for repairing roads and bridges in the planta- 

 tions, and making new ones where required. Having finished peeling 

 operations, the small branches should be gathered into heaps, seeing 

 particularly that all open drains are clear, much damage being often 

 done to bridges and roads by neglecting to look after the drains before 

 the heavy autumn floods set in. 



Grass, ferns, and furze should now be mowed from among young 

 trees without delay ; never allow grass to grow too long, or it will lop 

 with the rain, and destroy small plants. 



In Ireland, where almost every forest is chocked with ivy, the 

 warm weather of July ought to be taken advantage of, cutting it off 

 around the butts of the trees. 



Ground intended for planting ought to be drained this month, if 

 not done before, to allow the ground to " drip." Now is the time to 

 look after the fences, the fly will make cattle leap over anything, and 

 when once they find a way into a wood it is difficult to keep them out. 



Evergreen hedges should now be switched or clipped ; we prefer 

 the knife to the shears ; keep young hedges clear from weeds. 



Towards the end of the month is a good time for laying hollies, by 

 cutting the roots on one side and pulling the tree over. This is done 

 to increase and extend game coverts. Loppings of laurel inserted into 

 small trenches, and firmly covered with earth or soil, will strike root, 

 and make excellent cover next year, if done this month. From the 

 middle of the month budding should be done. We use a kind of 

 wax at this work, which has proved very successful. One part of 

 tallow, one part of beeswax, and four parts of rosin melted together, 

 and when properly mixed applied hot over the matting. We do not 

 use bass, but only soft jute thread for tying when budding. 



In the nursery all weeds ought to be pulled, and the ground kept 

 clean. Carry all rubbish away at once, for weeds, though cut, will 

 produce seed now. Keep all seed beds clean. Larch are breaking 



