374 REARING AND MANAGEMENT OF HARDWOOD PLANTATIONS. 
Fencing.—There are so many excellent systems of fencing that 
it would be invidious to reeommend one kind more than another. 
At all events, the site of a plantation should always be securely 
fenced, and, where ground game is plentiful, every possible means 
should be resorted to for keeping them from making inroads on 
the plants, as nothing could possibly retard their growth more 
than the attacks of hares and rabbits. It will be found cheaper, 
in the long run, to erect a proper fence at first, for the simple 
reason that the patching up of an inferior one is, in nine cases 
out of ten, simply throwing away money for no good result. 
Draining.—Drains should always be scored off previous to 
commencing planting operations. It is not, however, necessary 
to have them opened until afterwards. Though a good system of 
drainage is absolutely necessary to the welfare of a plantation— 
nay, contributes considerably to its financial success,—it must often 
be limited to what is really necessary, for the simple reason that 
the making and keeping of ditches increase considerably the ex- 
pense of a plantation. It must also be observed that over-draining 
would be disastrous in its results. In some instances little or 
no drainage is required, in others it cannot be dispensed with. 
The “ herring-bone” system, which is very commonly adopted, is 
by no means to be commended, because it impedes cart-trafiic, 
dragging wood, etc., etc. This system may, however, be adopted 
with propriety when the ground is marshy. The state of the soil 
has a good deal to do with the size of the drains. From 3 to 3} 
feet wide and 2 to 2} feet deep are the general dimensions. By 
looking over the drains occasionally, it can easily be seen when 
they require to be “scoured” out—a very necessary proceeding 
which must not be overlooked. 
Planting.—There are two distinct methods of planting, viz., 
pitting and notching. Pitting is admitted on all hands to be the 
most preferable for, at least, all hardwood plants. Notching can, 
however, be adopted with propriety in planting moorland with 
conifers, At the age at which foresters generally approve of 
planting out hardwoods, considerable benefit is derived from the 
making of large roomy pits, so that the roots of the plant be 
allowed to be set in their natural position, and covered up and 
firmed with soft earth. It will thus the more readily strike out 
young fibrous roots, and be enabled to develop itself the more 
quickly. 
The size of the holes should never be less than 14 inches square, 
