I'^orcst II 'or!: for Ihc A/oji//). 349 



liow they arc laden with their foliage, m ill, at this season of the year, 

 be a better guide to the primer than when such branches are bare and 

 more erect in a\ inter. Eor further details of the method of pruning 

 the reader is referred to an article on the subject in the current 

 number of this journal. September is decidedly the best month 

 for pruning the majority of forest and ornamental trees. The walnut 

 in particular should be pruned as early as possible in the month. The 

 cuttings of yew of one or two years' growth, if cleared of all twigs 

 and leaves upon their stems, and planted in a shady spot early in the 

 month, are almost certain to take root. 



.Now is the time to look carefully through all new plantations, 

 removing dead trees, and digging holes for their successors. Some clue 

 to the causes of failure may now be obtained by carefully noticing 

 the soil thrown out, — whether fi'oni excessive drought or moisture, 

 from poverty of soil, or other causes. While the leaves still hang 

 upon their congeners the position of all dead plants may be seen at a 

 glance. -An estimate of the planter's requirements for the coming 

 season may now be made, and the extent of the probable drain upon 

 tlie home nursery and the resources of the nurseryman be approxi- 

 mately arrived at. Attend well to stakes and supports of all 

 kinds before the winds of the autunni cause irretrievable damage. Tlie 

 woodreeve should keep a good look-out in all recently thinned plan 

 tations for young trees which from weakness of stem, or from the 

 weight of foliage, have become bent. Ey a timely lightening of the 

 head many such may be restored to their erect positions, if taken in 

 hand before the return of the sap ; while such as are beyond recovery 

 may at once be cut down. The coppice falls for the ensuing winter 

 may now be fixed on, and arrangements made for an early canting ou 

 or allotment of such falls. 



All trenching for winter planting should be finished, so as to 

 allow the early frosts to pulverize and prepare the soil. During the 

 past season we have paid Is. 6d. per rod for thoroughly trenching 

 heavy clay for new plantations to the depth of eighteen inches ; and 

 from 9d. to Is. 3d. per rod run for cutting ncAV ditches through birch 

 plantations, such ditches varying from 2 ft. 6 in. in M'idtli and 2 ft. 

 deep, to 3 ft. 6 in. in width and 3 ft. deep. Holing for small plants^ 

 two spit, or about 18 in. each way, and 10 in. deep, has cost from 9d. 

 to Is. 3d. per 100 holes, according to soil ; and larger holes for chest- 

 nut, oak, poplar, &c., up to 6s. per 100. 



Composts should now be carted and deposited in convenient spots 

 for future operations. Much less labour and considerably less damage 

 to the land will result from an early attention to this. All fresh 

 mould, road scrapings, ditch scourings, leaf mould, or peat are valu- 

 able adjuncts fur this purpose. I'or clayey and marly soils in 



