NOTES ON SILVICULTURAL INTEREST. 209 



Utilisation of scrub as nurse for frost-tender plants. — Whenever 

 anything in the form of scrub naturally exists this is taken 

 advantage of and thinned out as required, leaving the most 

 suitable plants as a protection for the young crop until it is 

 above the frost line. 



Conversion of old oak coppice to coniferous high forest. — Through 

 altered conditions the cultivation of oak coppice is no longer 

 profitable, consequently these are thinned out and replaced with 

 a shade-bearing coniferous crop. A sufficient number of the 

 coppice-shoots are reserved to form a cover on the ground until 

 the young crop is established, and are removed at periods of 

 4, 5 and 6 years after planting. 



Semicircular planting spade. — Another matter of great import- 

 ance is the method of planting. For several years past all 

 planting has been done with the semicircular spade. The 

 system is almost identical with that of pitting, while the expense is 

 very little more than by the notch system. Experienced men 

 can make in ordinary ground from 800 to 1200 holes in a day — 

 two planters instead of one are, however, required to each 

 spade. That is all the difference as regards time between this 

 method and the barbarous notch system. The after-results do 

 much more than compensate for the small extra expense. When 

 the soil is of a poor or stiff retentive nature a little of a richer 

 mixture can be introduced, thus giving the plant a start in life. 



By this method the roots are put perpendicularly under the 

 plant and are not one-sided and doubled up like a lot of golf 

 clubs, as is generally the case in notch planting. Notched 

 plants with such twisted and deformed roots generally become 

 affected with either one or other of the root fungi, usually 

 Polyponts innosKS. 



The method is of considerable importance, especially in 

 forming margins and in planting exposed situations, as owing to 

 the roots being perpendicular the plant develops evenly, and 

 the roots anchor it to the soil on all sides alike. The young 

 tree is also more easily planted erect, and is more firmly held in 

 position. 



lVi?id-p roof margins. — Much care and judgment are necessary, 

 not only in the planting, but also in the selection of species 

 when forming margins. Many examples that meet the eye 

 throughout the country indicate lack of judgment in planting 

 and in the selection of suitable species, and the neglect of 



