COXCLUSION. 267 



of labour should be withheld from the ground pre- 

 paratory to planting. If wet, it should be thoroughly 

 drained, so that no water stand on the surface in any 

 part, not even the smallest spot ; and where the surface 

 of the ground is broken and uneven, it is often difficult 

 to attain this without putting the drains very close 

 together; but as they do not require to be deep (20 

 inches or thereby), the expense is well bestowed and 

 should not be withheld. If the soil is stiff and close, 

 which is often the case, it should invariably be well 

 loosened and broken, either by digging, ploughing, 

 trenching, or foot-picking, that the roots may freely 

 enter, and ramify without interruption. 



Third. For several years after planting into the 

 forest ground the trees require the greatest possible 

 care and protection. The care and attention first 

 required by the tree should begin with its growth, and 

 end only when it is cut down. It must at all times be 

 seen to that the roots are safe, that no herbage of any 

 kind interferes with the growth and development of 

 the side branches, and that the top likewise has perfect 

 freedom. Animals of all kinds must be kept entirely 

 from them, so that neither root, stem, branch, twig, 

 bark, bud, nor leaf is in any way injured by them ; 

 for the slightest bruise of the bark, even by rustling 

 or rubbing against it, causes very serious damage, 

 which often results in the death of the tree. Insects 

 as well as animals often inflict much damage, chiefly 

 by poisoning or devouring the foliage ; but from these 

 the tree usually soon recovers, sustaining thereby only 



