THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 45 
Waste lands suitable for planting are to be found to a greater 
or less extent on almost every estate, and plantations will 
seldom be formed on fertile soil. Indeed, with the exception 
of some hardwoods, such soil would not produce the best quality 
of timber; while the loss of rent as pasture would much exceed 
that of many of our hill-sides, where plantations can be raised 
equally well, and may even produce timber of superior quality. 
Timber will therefore usually be grown for profit on mountain 
sides or heathy moorlands, and, on a smaller scale, along the 
sloping banks of water-courses and in natural hollows. 
The commercial value of plantations at different stages of 
growth may often vary considerably in different localities, 
according to local demand. In localities where pit-wood or 
other small-sized wood is in demand, it may pay best to clear 
the crop at, say, from thirty to forty years of age, or as soon 
as they attain the size best supplying the local market. Many 
situations suitable for the growth of larch and other valuable 
trees are not sufficiently accessible for the removal of heavy 
timber, and then it may be more profitable to clear the crop 
when it is of handy pit-wood size, and replant. In this way two 
crops of timber may be grown in the time taken to grow one 
of heavy matured timber, which would lock up more capital 
meanwhile. These are, however, matters only for local con- 
sideration. 
Fencing.—Before commencing to plant any piece of ground, 
it must be securely fenced against the inroads of stock or game. 
The manner of enclosing plantations varies, and often depends 
on local facilities. Where suitable stones abound, no more 
lasting fence can be erected than a dry-stone dyke, built to 
the height of 3 feet, and surmounted with iron standards placed 
at g feet apart, using three lines of wires placed at 7, 8, and 
9 inches apart. Where the fence is a straight line, these standards 
may be placed at 18 feet apart, using two droppers at 6 feet 
apart. Corrimony fencing is efficient, cheap, durable, easily 
erected, and therefore suitable for hill-ground and places difficult 
of access. Straining and tie-pillars should be of good malleable 
iron, 14 inch square, placed not more than 150 yards apart. 
These should be fitted with stays in line of fence, and also with 
iron plate ratchets. The intermediate posts should be of T iron, 
1} in. x 14 in. x } in, placed at 18 feet apart, using two 
droppers between at 6 feet apart. Strainers and T irons to be 
