THE AFFORESTATION OF LARGE AREAS IN THE HIGHLANDS. 321] 
the whole “bog” formed by the spring. Land requiring to be 
drained can easily be detected by its wet, spongy appearance, and 
the vegetation with which it is covered. It is often found difficult 
to drain shallow basins having moorland “pan” underneath. The 
best and cheapest way to do this is by the use of explosives, such 
as tonite, which is a cheap and safe explosive. Begin the operation 
by driving a heavy crowbar right through the “ pan”—which is 
usually from a few inches to 2 feet below the surface—at every 10 
yards or so, and charge the holes with the explosive. If the “ pan” 
be about 2 feet below the surface, a two-ounce cartridge of tonite will 
be sufficient to fracture the pan for a few yards around ; but for 
less than 2 feet of depth, an ounce cartridge will be found sufficient. 
The cost will not exceed 20s. per acre. The advantage of draining 
the “pan” by this method is that it never again unites, being so 
thoroughly disintegrated by the concussion that it becomes mixed 
up with the soil. The writer has seen the effect of this method on 
land where it was performed sixteen years ago, and it is still quite 
open and friable, with a fine crop of young timber now growing 
upon it. 
Clearing the Land for Planting.— This operation is often 
difficult, but cheap and effectual means can be applied to most 
herbage, dank grass excepted. Heath should be burned in stripes, 
two or more yards wide, where it is so rank as to overtop ordinary 
plants of either Scots fir or larch, leaving about a yard between 
each stripe for shelter. The burning should be from bottom to top 
of hills, and on level or moderately level land across the path of 
prevailing winds. The burning is done best in March, during dry 
weather and moderate winds. Fire the heath in stripes, and give 
a stripe to two men or lads to keep under control, and to guide the 
burning in any required direction. The checking of the burning 
is effected by what is known as “ flogging,” and for this purpose 
branches of spruce or Scots fir are used, or better, properly made 
“mops.” These are made of stripes of any old woollen material 
about a foot in length, tied by means of wire to hazel or ash rods, 
supple enough to bend, but rigid enough not to turn in the hand. 
Old sacks do very well. By this means there should be no difficulty 
in keeping the burning in check. Ifa few stripes are being burned 
at the same time, it is better to have a spare man or two to look 
after any little spark that may be lurking in the heath ready to 
devour the shelter stripes. The cost of this operation will depend 
greatly on the force of the wind, and the activity of the persons in 
