THE FORMATION AND MANAGEMENT OF GAME CovVERTS. 213 
XIV. The Formation and Management of Game Coverts. By 
Aweus D. Wesstrer, Forester, Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, 
Wales. 
When we consider that on not a few estates in this country the 
value of the plantations as game coverts, is well nigh of as much 
importance as that of the timber produced, it will be readily seen 
that the successful formation and management of these is a matter 
of no small moment to those intrusted with the work. As to 
whether game-rearing and forestry can be advantageously carried on 
in the same woods is, however, a question we by no means feel 
inclined to uphold, and from which, being apart from the subject- 
matter of our paper, we will for the present stand aloof. 
Game coverts may be divided into two kinds, natural and 
artificial—natural, when the woods are kept sufficiently thin to 
admit of the free growth of bramble, bracken, or other rough 
vegetation ; and artificial when the planting of such shrubs as are 
suitable for underwood is resorted to. 
Natural game coverts, which, by most sportsmen, are considered 
superior to those artificially formed, can only exist where the 
plantations are kept well and regularly thinned, so as to admit 
abundance of both light and air—the two principal requisites for 
the successful growth of natural underwood. Generally speaking, 
the formation of natural coverts has seldom to be helped, although 
occasionally in such coverts we have found it necessary to assist 
nature by the sowing of such seeds as those of gorse, broom, etc., 
in the thinner and more open portions of the woodlands. This 
may, however, be considered as an exception to the rule, as where 
the woods are kept sufficiently thin, spontaneous undergrowth 
is usually pretty abundant, and requires neither care nor manage- 
ment, beyond preventing its too free incursions along the margins 
of roads and shooting drives. Where, however, bare patches do 
occur, the sowing of seed may be relied upon as not only a speedy 
but most effectual method of increasing the cover. Where seeds 
are intended to be sown, the soil should be thoroughly prepared 
by a slight picking, after which it may be dug over, and all hard 
clods or lumps broken down, and the whole made smooth and fine ~ 
with a rake. The seeds may be sown in spring, and afterwards 
covered over with hardwood branches as a preservative against the 
depredations of small birds and game. 
