118 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
the former two, should always be used if possible. Other hard- 
woods than the two mentioned might be raised in this way, but 
owing to their strength and vigour as seedlings, oak and Spanish 
chestnut are better adapted for it than any others. 
When the ground is in good condition, and the heather short, 
good results might be obtained by sowing Scots fir broadcast on 
heathy moors and hill-sides, as the regularity with which this tree 
comes up on such ground where self-sown, produces almost as good 
and perfect a crop as could be secured by planting. It is only on 
heath-covered ground, however, that this would be likely to succeed, 
as grass or any other herbage is too thick and close to allow the 
seed to obtain a good hold of the soil. Of course, a large per- 
centage of the seed would be lost, and therefore this system could 
only be recommended when seed is cheap and easily obtained, but 
many barren acres of hill-side and moorland might be afforested by 
this method at a considerably less cost than planting. 
Protection from Ground Game. 
Where ground game abounds, it is necessary to protect the young 
plants by means of wire-netting. This should be supported by 
short posts, about 4 feet long, driven firmly into the ground every 
6 or 8 feet, or the netting may be attached to a wire fence when 
if surrounds the ground requiring protection. A small trench about 
3 inches deep and wide should be taken out, and the bottom of the 
netting placed in it, about 3 inches at the bottom being laid flat, and 
the scil replaced. This prevents rabbits from scratching holes 
underneath it, which they quickly do when it merely touches the sur- 
face of the ground. All holes should be ferreted and stopped after 
the netting is up, otherwise some may be left inside. To protect 
any large area from rabbits by means of netting is practically 
impossible, the only effective remedy being that of keeping them 
down by shooting and trapping, and allowing their natural enemies, 
such as stoats, weasels, foxes, &c., to restore the balance of nature. 
The settling of this question, however, is usually outside the 
forester’s jurisdiction, and he must do what he can, and leave the 
rest to take its chance. 
Management for First Twelve Years. 
The principal work to be done during the first two or three years 
after planting will be beating up blanks and keeping down rubbish. 
