7S»2 The younial of Foi-cstry. 



burning, peaty soils may with great advantage be similarly treaterl. 

 The large quantities of organic matter contained in them are often 

 prejudicial to vegetation. Marshy soils contain much humus, -which 

 ]s greatly changed by burning, and also rendered more soluble. 



The forester should avail himself of a temporary lull in the works 

 oJ' the plantations to get on with his marking and numbering of oaks 

 for falling. A simple calculation, based upon the number of loads 

 or cubic feet of timber to be felled, making proper allowances for age 

 and sizes, and situations in which grown, will enable him to ascertain 

 approximately the total quantity of bark to Ijc stripped and the 

 number of hands required. 



Having supphed the forester's demands throughout the season, the 

 nursery itself will now require great attention. Where transplanting 

 still continues, two years' seedling hardwoods should be removed 

 early in the month, and one year's plants later on. One year's seedling 

 larch may, hoAvever, now be transplanted at once, other coniferous 

 seedlings being left over for the next month. 



The preparation of seed-beds and the sowing of seeds may now be 

 proceeded with. When sufficiently dry the ground should be well 

 worked, and all stones and remains of former vegetation removed by 

 hand. Afterwards the beds should be laid out long and narrow in 

 form to admit of hand weeding. The seeds of ash, alder, birch, and 

 holly may be sown upon the surface of the beds, either broadcast or 

 in drills, and lightly covered by riddling over them some fine soil, 

 laj-ing it on to a thickness of about half an inch. As a considerable 

 portion of the coniferous seed does not germinate it should be thickly 

 sown to insure a regular crop. To keep oft" small birds, nets should 

 be spread over the beds and supported by bent rods, care being taken 

 to fasten them securely at the sides. 



In choosing seedlings, or any young plants from public nurseries, 

 examine well their barks, roots, and general growth. 



In selecting a site for a new nursery, choose moderately open or 

 friable land, with a fair exposure ; these conditions, combined with 

 average fertility of soil, should ensure fibrous root-growth, strength 

 of plant, and general hardiness. Closely sheltered hollows and very 

 stiff clays should be alike avoided : the one causes too rapid an up- 

 ward growth, and the other does not favour the development of roots. 

 Where artificial shelter is required a hedge of hornbeam or privet may 

 be quickly raised. 



One very important adjunct of the nursery is a plentiful supply of 

 water within easy reach. The nursery should also be upon moderately 

 level ground, as heavy rains may otherwise greatly injure young 

 stock. 



Buck seeds, v.hich should have been vrell dried in the sun and 



