REARING AND MANAGEMENT OF HARDWOOD PLANTATIONS. 381 
privet with wooden pegs, a thick undergrowth may soon be 
acquired. 
The only pecuniary returns hitherto realised have been from 
thinnings ; but though some sacrifices may have been made, it 
will be found that the wood remaining on the ground is now 
worth a considerable amount of money ; and, indeed, the presence 
of such a plantation on an estate will tend to enhance its value 
in more ways than one. 
Felling.—Felling should in general be done with the saw, 
because this instrument makes neater work and wastes less wood 
than the axe. The best time for felling is from September to 
March, inclusive. Small trees may be felled with the axe, and 
also large ones when it is desirable to have them cut very low. 
By sinking the stock towards the centre, the rain will have a 
tendency to lodge in the cavity thus formed, and thus hasten 
the decomposition of the root. When it is intended to encourage 
the growth of coppice, the stock should be elevated towards the 
centre, so that it may be better able to resist the influence of rain, 
and thus preserve it from rot. 
In cases where the bark is preserved, the trees should be felled 
in sunny weather, about the beginning of summer, and kept as 
much as possible in the shade, so as to protect them from the sun, 
which, by the way, encourages splitting to an alarming degree. 
Lotting.—In the event of the wood cut being lotted for sale, 
the trees should be carefully sized, and the lots neatly put 
together. Where a number of lots come together, they should be 
kept as nearly as possible in line. This process does not present 
any great difficulty to practical men who have been accustomed to 
such work, and it makes the wood have a better appearance. 
Wood is often drawn and huddled together in a manner which 
does not reflect much credit on those concerned in the operation. 
This probably arises from the prevalent notion that this part of 
forestry does not require much attention. This is, however, a 
mistaken idea altogether. If the wood for sale be properly 
‘¢ sized,” and put up in neat and compact lots, not only the dis- 
poser, but the purchaser as well, will be better able to form a 
more accurate idea as to the approximate value of the wood 
before him. 
