THE AFFORESTATION OF LARGE AREAS IN THE HIGHLANDS, 323 
during gales. This method is only available where plenty of 
underwood and scrub abound. 
The Selection of the trees and the Mode of Planting are matters 
for the forester on the spot to deal with effectually, as no hard 
and fast rule can be laid down to suit all cases. A general rule, 
however, is to select the plants of a size, age, and species to suit 
the soil, herbage, and situation, Generally speaking, the smaller 
the plants are, the cheaper and more successful will be the planta- 
tion; and taking the Highlands broadly, two-year seedlings, one 
year transplanted, are the handiest and most useful plants of most 
of the pine tribe. So much depends, however, on the exposure 
and soil, that where to plant, and what to plant, must be left in the 
hands of the practical forester. Volumes of theory could be and 
are written on this subject, but to no practical effect, even from 
the pen of the most subtle writer; the practised eye and experi- 
enced judgment of the forester are the only reliable medium. 
Examples—and striking examples—of what the practical forester 
can do, if left to his own discretion, can be seen in many parts of 
the country, as in Strathconon near Strathpeffer, and on the 
Lovat and Ord estates near Beauly. 
As has been said above, plants should be of such species as are 
suitable for the different soils, altitudes, and exposures that are to 
be found in all extensive areas. While that is so, a general idea 
may here be given. In planting for profit, it may be laid down as 
a rule, that even in inland situations, hardwoods, such as the oak, 
ash, plane, and elm, should not be planted above 800 feet altitude, 
and only in situations highly suitable. This, however, does not 
refer to such of these trees as may be used in forming wind-breaks 
or shelter-bands for plantations of large extent. It will be found 
that for planting in the Highlands the pine tribe is the most suc- 
cessful, and therefore the most profitable; but it cannot be too 
strongly impressed upon planters that the smallest plants of every 
variety will be found to be the most profitable ; being less liable to 
die during the early stages of growth, and, in after years, less likely 
to be overturned by wind storms. In the lower situations, and 
where rank herbage has to be contended with, transplanted plants 
may be necessary, but in all situations where the herbage is of a 
stunted nature, two-year seedlings of all the pine tribe will be more 
successful. On the higher ranges, where steep gradients are met 
with, seeding should be resorted to, and this more especially where 
rocky debris prevails. In such places no preparation is necessary, 
