THE FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS. 97 
Were it not for the necessity of fencing, there is little doubt that 
many odd corners and waste patches of ground to be found on 
every estate would be utilised in growing timber, but owing to 
the fact that such pieces of ground are usually of a very irregular 
shape (generally consisting of narrow strips by the roadside, or 
small ravines), the length of fencing that would be required would 
be out of all proportion to the area enclosed, and therefore we 
rarely find such ground planted unless for shelter. In forming 
extensive plantations, however, the larger the area enclosed the 
smaller the cost per acre, providing judgment is exercised in laying 
off the boundaries ; but even then it always forms one of the most 
expensive items, and should be done at as little cost as is consistent 
with durability. 
In planting extensive tracts of moorland or hill-sides which are 
not depastured with sheep or cattle, fencing may sometimes be 
dispensed with altogether, or only carried out on the sides liable 
to encroachment ; but generally speaking, it is rarely safe to omit 
taking full precautions against any possible damage to the young 
plants, as any such omission may result in serious injury to the 
plantation. 
Plantations to be formed in the midst of agricultural or grazing 
ground must be thoroughly and efficiently fenced on all sides, and 
the most economical fence for general plantation purposes is 
probably the turf dyke, surmounted by a low post and wire fence. 
The dyke should be 3 feet high (at the base of which a ditch 
should run 2 feet deep by 3 feet wide at top), and should be 
substantially formed of sods or turfs containing as little organic 
matter as possible, the outside face being made almost perpendi- 
cular, the inner sloping away gradualiy. It must be allowed to 
settle down properly before the wire fence is erected, or the posts 
will not take a firm hold of the ground, and when the fence is 
erected it should not stand nearer the edge of the dyke than 
12 or 18 inches. The posts should be larch, 45 feet long, and 
not less than 2 inches in diameter at the small end, and should 
stand 24 feet above the top of the dyke. As the posts decay 
rapidly in dry dykes, the wooden straining posts should be 
replaced by iron pillars erected every two or three hundred yards 
in the straight parts of the fence, and at any corner or bend 
where required. This will increase the cost of the fence at the 
outset, but will prove the most economical in the long run, as the 
iron pillars will last for many years if kept varnished or painted, 
VOL. XIII. PART I. G 
