95 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Three No. 7 wires will be sufficient, fixed to the posts by staples, 
and strained by means of brackets fixed on the iron pillars, double 
brackets being attached to every other pillar for that purpose. 
The larch posts should be soaked in creosote or tar after they are 
thoroughly dry before being used, as when so treated they will 
last considerably longer than unprepared ones, A fence of this 
kind, dyke included, will cost from 8d. to 1s. per yard, and if well 
put up the expense of maintaining it will be comparatively trifling, 
as after a few years decayed posts may be renewed from the 
thinnings of the plantation, thus avoiding the necessity of carting 
from a distance. 
Should the soil be suitable, and the situation favourable to its 
growth, a thorn hedge may be planted on the inside of the fence, 
and, if properly attended to, will be sufficiently strong to take the 
place of the latter by the time the posts have decayed; but all 
overhanging branches must be kept cut back, or it will become 
weak and patchy. In such a case the iron pillars may be dispensed 
with, and wooden strainers used instead. 
Various other kinds of fences are in use throughout the country, 
such as stone dykes, slate, posts, and hoop-iron, and hedges of all 
descriptions ; but the style most commendable for a plantation 
depends upon the locality in which it is erected, proximity and 
cost of materials, skill possessed by the workmen employed, and 
whether intended to be permanent or only temporary; and there- 
fore all these particulars must be taken into consideration before 
any description of a fence can be recommended in preference to 
another. 
Draining. 
In no operation connected with the formation of plantations is 
more judgment necessary than in draining, for if imperfectly or 
carelessly done, it often fails to produce any of the good results 
expected from it, while one drain in the right place may be more 
effectual than a dozen inthe wrong. The first thing to be ascer- 
tained is the extent of ground which really requires draining, for 
it is seldom that the entire surface of an extensive piece of ground 
is too wet for the healthy growth of trees, and therefore all 
unnecessary draining should be avoided as much as possible. The 
natural vegetation affords a pretty good indication of the nature of 
the surface soil in this respect, and should be carefully noted. It 
will generally be found that where the natural vegetation is healthy 
