ON PROTECTING YOUNG SPRUCE FROM FROST. 53 



A small exposed plantation on this estate has a considerable 

 quantity of natural birch in one corner, and it is surprising to 

 notice the better condition of the young plants which are 

 sheltered by these trees, as compared with those which are not 

 so sheltered. 



Alders could be raised in the same manner, but are very 

 easily grown from cuttings, which, on suitable soil, could be 

 inserted in the same way as willow cuttings, just previous to 

 planting with spruce ; shoots of one year's growth are best for 

 this purpose. 



The damage done to spruce by severe frosts in late spring, 

 and sometimes in early summer, is very annoying to foresters, 

 besides resulting in a great loss, as very frequently the affected 

 plants die altogether, while, should they live, they have a brown, 

 scorched appearance for a long time afterwards ; sometimes the 

 young leading shoot will die and a side shoot take its place, 

 and consequently the tree loses its commercial value. The 

 best and most profitable way to treat frozen plants is to take 

 them out at once, should the season be not too far advanced, 

 and to fill up with ball plants of about the same size, if they can 

 be procured ; or should the season for planting be past, the first 

 opportunity of putting in new plants should be taken in the 

 following season. 



The above experience is well worthy of the notice of foresters 

 and others interested in the growing of spruce, for although it 

 was obtained quite by accident it proved to be very successful, 

 and is certainly worth a trial by others who have similar places 

 to plant. The alder is a very suitable tree for the purpose, as 

 it grows rapidly, and soon gets ahead of the spruce, allowing the 

 lower branches to be lopped so as to let light and air to the 

 spruce beneath it. Another point is that the side branches of the 

 alder spread very rapidly, and afford protection to the spruce 

 from frost and the scorching rays of the sun in summer; this 

 benefit is proved by the healthy, dark green appearance of the 

 young spruce underneath it, and by the rapid growth which they 

 make after they are once fairly established. 



