THE LAYING-OUT OF A MIXED PLANTATION. 49 
moderately fertile soil will best suit the elm; and from its 
straggling habit of growth it may require considerable attention 
in a mixed plantation. Beech thrives on any moderately dry 
land, and is not particular as to soil or situation: it forms one 
of the best mixtures along with either oak, ash, Scots pine, or 
larch. Sycamore will thrive on any soil not wet or boggy,and may 
be planted with beech, spruce, or Weymouth pine. The Spanish 
chestnut thrives best in rich dry soil, and grows much quicker 
than most of the other kinds of trees. The banks of streams or 
water-courses, and moderately damp situations, are suitable for 
common spruce, alder, poplars, and willows. Of the newer 
Coniferz suitable for mixed plantations, perhaps none is better 
than the Douglas fir; and in favourable situations such kinds 
as Tsuga Mertensiana, Cupressus Lawsoniana, Thuya gigantea 
(Lobbit), Larix leptolepis, and Abies grandis may be planted. In 
planting for profit, large plantations should be made, as they can 
usually be formed and managed at less cost proportionally 
than small areas, and also produce finer timber. On light land 
suitable for notching, from 3500 to 4800 plants should be used 
to the imperial acre.1 The usual method of notching should be 
adopted where plants are of a suitable size, care being taken 
that the slits into which the plants are inserted are firmly closed. 
Where plants of large size are used, including all hardwoods, 
pits may be made for their reception. The extent of the roots 
will determine the size of the holes to be made, an allowance 
being made of a few inches beyond the extreme points of the 
roots. 
The success of the plantation will depend on the skill exercised 
at this stage. All kinds of trees must be planted with care, on 
soils and situations suited to their growth, without regard to 
regularity. Light-demanding kinds should be mixed with shade- 
bearers of less rapid growth, or should be planted in advance. 
In addition to our ordinary woodland trees in Britain, Zsuga 
Mertensiana, Cupressus Lawsoniana, Thuya gigantea (Lobbit), Abies 
grandis, Picea sitchensis, and Larix leptolepis may also be planted 
1 That is, from 3 to 34 feet apart. Except where the land is suitable for 
notching, or unless there are special reasons for close planting, it will seldom pay 
best to plant closer than 4 feet (2722 per acre)—and that, too, even in localities 
where there may be a fair demand for early thinnings. But we have, un- 
fortunately, as yet no statistics for comparison of actual results in Britain. 
—Hon. Ep. 
VOL. XIX. PART I. D 
