338 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



should be so laid out tliat shelter on all sides will be provided, in 

 order that a more comfortable resting-place may be had, as well as 

 the security of the stock provided for, and that irregular or crooked 

 margins following along the base of a ridge running up and down 

 the hill should be the fixed boundary lines. The width of these 

 belts may vary according to the width of the ridge, and may be 

 stated at from 100 to 250 yards, and the highest belt should be made 

 the widest, say from 250 to 500 yards broad, so as to give increased 

 density to resist the storm. In order that freedom be allowed to 

 the stock to roam at pleasure in search of their food, I would sug- 

 gest that no belt should extend continuously without a break every 

 1000 or 1500 yards, and the higher and lower extremities of each 

 should terminate in the hollows of the ground. Those lowest 

 down, where it may be necessary to give artificial feeding, should 

 have a broad base, enclosing a square or circular piece of unplanted 

 ground, of such a size as may be necessary for the safe accommoda- 

 tion of the stock, and so formed that it may be easily accessible in 

 any emergency, advantage being always taken of any natural 

 shelter. No belts should be formed near ravines or rivulets, 

 where sheep may congregate and be suffocated under the accumu- 

 lated depth of snow. Should a belt be required where no prominent 

 ridge occurs, or on a neck of land where contrary currents meet, 

 it must be formed of greater width. 



Draining may be necessary where the lower belts are to be 

 formed, but if the ground is considered in a good condition for 

 pasturing, I hold that fir plantations will grow without any more 

 drainage. Better to shorten the length of the plantation than to 

 have large ruts formed near the lower base, in which sheep may be 

 lost or injured; and as I propose setting plants on ridges or 

 " shanks," as they are locally termed, it will be understood that 

 the ground will have a slope on at least three sides, hence stagnant 

 water will seldom if ever be found. Pine timber absorbs a large 

 amount of moisture, and unless where water is stagnant I would 

 not recommend the formation of drains. 



Fencing is often one of the most expensive items in connection 

 with the formation of plantations, but in the circumstances under 

 consideration, shelter and not profit from the crop being the main 

 oVjject, the fences ought to be of the best class. Where stones can 

 be had, and the ground is not too steep for the erection of walls or 

 stone dykes, these are the best for adoption ; but where too steep 

 for their erection, or stones are absent, galvanised iron and wire 



