THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANTATION MARGINS. 1 59 



lime, Spanish chestnut, hawthorn, wild gean, hazel, willows, 

 alder, and even the common silver fir. All these will respond 

 well to having their heads and side branches cut occasionally. 

 Such cutting will cause these species to throw out adventitious 

 shoots from dormant buds, thus forming at all times a complete 

 and close barrier of densely-clothed, healthy bushes to the wind. 

 At the same time the inner trees, with their overhead spreading 

 branches, will protect the interior. 



When the plantation lies in proximity to the sea, such varieties 

 as the elder, snowberry, sea buckthorn, and Austrian pine will 

 be found suitable. On heath land at high altitudes the Scots 

 pine may be found the best species, with a margin of the dwarf 

 mountain pine, mountain ash, and birch. 



Roadways are an absolute necessity in plantations, but 

 the inlet or outlet is often a source of weakness to the 

 plantation. What I have found to be a very good method is 

 to form the inlet or outlet on a curve, or at an acute angle to 

 the margin, for a distance of 30 to 40 yards, so that the wind 

 driving in that direction will soon lose its force among the 

 trees. 



I have endeavoured to describe what I have observed in 

 patches forming clumps or some part of a plantation margin,^ 

 and although these have been generally reared for game cover, 

 or amenity, they nevertheless provide a good illustration of what 

 is required to form a complete forest margin. 



Our prevailing winds are generally westerly — but there are 

 many exceptions, and everything should be taken into 

 consideration according to local circumstances. No effort 

 should be spared to keep the margins in good health and close 

 formation. 



