Forest Work fo7' the Alonth. 853 



kinds is as follows: — Scotch j)ice, GO, GOO; larch, G3,900 ; spruce, 

 61,400; Weymouth, 30,000; Austrian, Ji3,800 ; silver fir, 15,G00; 

 pinaster, 11,150. 



If not already planted, the seeds of the beech,* alder, and birch 

 should immediately be got into the ground. 



Larch seeds may be sprinkled ^Yitll water for a few days before 

 planting. They should be lightly covered, having less than half an 

 inch of soil over them ; and they will require netting or closely 

 watching. 



Osiers for basket-making may be planted up to the first or second 

 week in April. Choose laud which abuts upon a stream, so that water 

 may be admitted into the bottom of the open ditches or shut out at 

 pleasure by means of a sluice. Take cuttings of 12 or 14 inches long, 

 from straight branches of two years' growth, and plant in rows of from 

 Ij ft. to 3 ft. apart, and 16 to 24 inches between the cuttings, 

 according to the growth of the osier. Insert the cutting about two 

 thirds of its length, and cut it down to the stub at the end of the first 

 year. By the end of the third year they will attain their full strength, 

 and afterwards admit of yearly croppings. Salix vimi)icdis, S. rubra, 

 and >S'. Forhyana are considered good sorts for the basket-maker. The 

 preparation of the ground for osiers should comprise deep trenching, 

 24 to 30 inches, liberal manuring, and thorough cleaning. 



Transplant large-sized hollies for hedges, taking them up with a 

 good ball. Uncover and water beds of birch seed in dry weather, 

 undercut roots of seedling oak; and remove seedling acacia, giving 

 them ample space and liberal waterings. 



All coppice wood should be removed before the bark-stripping 

 commences. Secure withes for tying up oak-top fagots, and prepare 

 materials for drying sheds for bark, should such be required. A light 

 portable framework and some sheets of thin corrugated iron will be 

 handy for removal and re-erection. 



Finish as quickly as possible the repairs and plashing of plantation 

 hedges before cattle are turned into the adjoining pastures. 



PlucUey, Kent. A. J. Buerows. 



SCOTLAND. 



April may be considered the month when the annual routine of 

 forest work should be wound up for the year. In all probability there 

 will be arrears in various departments to bring forward, and no efiFort 

 should be spared to get these attended to before commencing the im- 

 portant business of oak stripping. 



Continue the trimming of box and holly hedges. When raking up 

 the cuttings, all dead and withered leaves should also be drawn out 

 * In the notes for March " beech seeds " was misprinted " buck seeds." 



VOL. I. 3 



