THE AFFORESTATION OF LARGE AREAS IN THE HIGHLANDS, 325 
say, but the grouping system is carried out by nature with unerring 
precision. It is therefore better to copy nature, and assist her as 
far as possible, and in few things is nature more grateful for assist- 
ance than in the making and management of woods. 
The “survival of the fittest,” or mixed system of planting, is that 
most generally practised, on account of its being thought that if one 
plant will not succeed another may. Under ordinary circumstances 
there is a good deal to be said in favour of this plan, but it is an 
expensive one, and usually gives the least margin of profit during 
the earlier stages of thinning, It is perhaps here that the practical 
and thoroughly experienced forester comes to the front, and plants 
only what he knows will pay best. 
Seeding.—There are various methods by which the seeding of 
large areas may be accomplished, especially with birch, ash, beech, 
plane, elm, and pine, all of which are easily raised from seed, and 
more especially the birch. A cheap and very efficient plan is, 
searifying the surface roughly with a log of wood, having its 
surface covered with iron spikes about 3 inches in length and 
1 inch square; the log being about 6 feet in length by 8 or 9 
inches in diameter, and having at one end a bolt, swivel eye, and 
chain for attaching a horse. This rude implement is easily dragged 
through rough land, or where a thick crop of heath has been burned. 
With a log of an oval shape, weighing about 2 ewts., the pulling 
strain will not exceed 12 cwts. A man and horse with such an 
implement should cover a very large area in a day, giving the land 
a double stroke, and keeping the lines about 3 feet apart. Under 
favourable circumstances about 8 acres can be accomplished, but 
4 to 6 acres may be considered a fair day’s work. It is an in- 
valuable implement for raising shelter-belts for plantations on large 
areas of mountain, and will prepare a good bed for the seed of 
birch, beech, ash, elm, and pines. The implement was suggested 
by seeing the effect of dragging wood through forests for lotting 
for sale, and observing the after results by natural seeding. The 
cost of the implement, with chain complete, is about 25s., and any 
forester could make one on being supplied with the iron spikes by 
a blacksmith. The spikes should be 6 inches in length, to give 
them a firm hold in the log. 
Where this implement cannot be got to work on account of the 
steepness of the ground, or because of boulders or rock, the mattock 
will be found to be best for good results. The operation with the 
mattock, however, is more expensive, as it will keep a man busy 
