112 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



branches. Observations into this matter with various species 

 might lead to useful information of practical value in mixing 

 and underplanting. M. L. A. 



The Use of Pigs in Preparing Ground for Re-planting. 



I am trying the experiment of using pigs to clean up a felled 

 area, which happens to be near the Home Farm, before re- 

 planting. After burning the brushwood on two or three acres, 

 low fences were erected, and some breeding sows and gilts were 

 turned in, in the autumn. The intention was to keep them there 

 all winter with movable shelters for the night, but the ground 

 became too wet and the pigs were removed to the Home Farm. 

 In the spring they were put back on the ground. The land is 

 naturally dense with bracken, brambles, etc., but the pigs turn 

 over every inch of the enclosure, and I have seen great chunks 

 of bracken roots turned up by the animals in their search for 

 more palatable food, and no roots of any weed seem likely to 

 survive. The idea is to gradually extend the enclosures as 

 the logs are removed and brushwood burned, until the greater 

 part of the felled area has been occupied by pigs. Of course, 

 they have to be fed daily (on bean meal, etc.), but the out-door 

 life causes them to thrive exceedingly. It might be supposed 

 that pig manure would make the ground unduly rich for forest 

 plants, but owing to the cleanly habit of pigs under natural 

 conditions, the excrement is deposited in particular places, and 

 the main part of the ground occupied remains entirely free from 

 manure. 



As the primary object was to provide ground for improved 

 methods of pig rearing, the cost of erecting the fences is borne 

 by the Home Farm. But it looks as if a second (forestry) 

 purpose will have been served : because much preparation by 

 hand labour, which would otherwise have been necessary to 

 fit the ground for re-planting, will have been saved. 



Hugh Shaw Stewart. 



Use of Small Plants in Re-stocking Cleared Ground. 



Several articles having appeared in forestry journals recently, 

 advocating, on the score of economy, the use of small plants for 

 re-stocking ground that has been cleared of timber, it may be of 

 interest to record the results of some actual experience. 



