FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 173 
X. The Formation of Plantations, and their Management for the 
First Twelve Years. By Davin A. GLen, Assistant Forester, 
Gartshore, Kirkintilloch. 
In forming a plantation, the greater the amount of area enclosed 
the better for the future welfare of the crop, as it is an unquestion- 
able fact that trees as a rule thrive better and attain greater dimen- 
sions when grown in an extensive plantation than when grown in 
isolated clumps. The reason of this is obvious. In the former 
case each tree is sheltered by and affords shelter to its neighbours, 
while in the latter they are exposed on all sides to every variation 
of temperature, and, as a result, they generally assume a stunted, 
weather-beaten appearance. On elevated lands such results are 
more noticeable than on low-lying situations, as the more elevated 
they are the exposure to the blast is generally greater. This, then, 
should be the first rule to be observed in forming a plantation on a 
situation not naturally sheltered, to plant as much and as com- 
pactly as possible. Land that has been newly cleared of a timber 
crop should not be planted for several years, as the supply of nutri- 
ment in the soil is much exhausted. By allowing it to remain for 
a few years it stores up a fresh supply of nutriment for the main- 
tenance of the next crop. Another reason why such lands should 
not be planted immediately after clearing off the old crop is, that the 
old roots, stumps, and refuse are allowed to decompose, and the 
insects with which they are infested gradually disappear. In the 
meantime the land may be profitably and advantageously utilised 
for grazing purposes, as the cattle, besides keeping down rank 
vegetation, contribute to the firming of the soil, Before planting 
operations commence, it is necessary to ascertain such information 
as the following: Ist, The extent of proposed plantation ; 2d, a 
knowledge of the nature of the soil and situation; 3d, what 
particular kinds of plants are most likely to succeed on such soil 
and in such a situation; 4th, what particular kinds of timber are 
principally in demand in the immediate neighbourhood, and to 
what extent it will be advisable to plant such trees in the proposed 
plantation. Such information will enable the proprietor to select 
his plants with discrimination, and submit them to proper treatment. 
Selection of Plants.—As in animal life the continuation of species 
is accompanied by a transmission of the good or bad qualities pos- 
sessed by the parent stock, so in the vegetable kingdom we find the 
same law in operation. Consequently, if we gather seeds from 
