35^ The Jounial of Forestry. 



pailieiilar these sliould invariably be mixed with lime, ^vllich eohi- 

 iiiiiiiites aud decomposes the clays and marls, and, by liberating their 

 potash, renders it available as food for the yonng plants. Lime aLs(j 

 removes all sourness from the soil. An analysis of the ashes of an\' 

 particular -wood will be the surest guide in the preparation of a 

 compost for the trees. Thus the ashes of the oak show the presence 

 of potash, silica, lime, soda, and several acids ; and as lime contains 

 both potash and phosphoric aciil, it is invaluable informing a compost 

 for a plantation of young oak. 



I'roceed with the cartage of draining pipes, road material, fencing 

 posts, &c., likely to be required during the winter, and remove all 

 timber from the sides of roads. 



"Where young and unfenced plantations are exposed to the depre- 

 dations of hares and rabbits, it will again be necessary to wash those 

 parts of the stems and branches Avithin their reach. This should be 

 done in dry weather, so as to allow the wash to adhere firmly to the 

 bark. A mixture of Stockholm tar, night soil, and lime, generally 

 proves eflicacious. "When Avell stirred together, apply as thickly as 

 practicable with a brush. 



All ornamental trees, whether in ^^•ood-rides or other plantations, 

 should have a space cleared round them to allow of a proper 

 development of head. In pleasure-grounds and parks, where cattle 

 and deer are grazed, the broken and browsed ends of branches should 

 be cut oft clean, and the main branches further lightened where 

 necessary. At this season of the year it is no unusual occurrence 

 for heavily laden branches of elm to break oft: the stumps shordd 

 have immediate attention. Further injury to beech and other fruit- 

 bearing trees may be prevented by a timely pruning, where, as is the 

 case during the present season, their branches are bent low and in 

 many cases broken liy the weight of their produce. 



The forester who has an eye to natural effect will now have an 

 opportunity of watching the autumnal changes in foliage ; from the 

 time when the hazy cloud-like outline of the maple passes from 

 green to yellow, then to a golden tinge, aud finally to a deep 

 russet, down to the period when the dark tan colour of the oak 

 leaves indicates their early fall. By observing carefully the effects of 

 autumnal tints he may learn many useful lessons in grouping forest 

 trees. As autumn approaches, the light green of the willow, flecked 

 with hoar as the wind tosses its branches, aud the still brighter green 

 uf the wide-spreading plane tree, form a beautiful foreground to the 

 dense and well-defined rolling masses of sycamore leaves, the deepen- 

 ing shades of the oak, the elm, the silver aird Scotch firs, and the 

 coppery-tinged and gracefully waving plumes of the beech ; wdiile 

 upon the nearest oaks patches t»f a luighter green, like shi'cds of 



