FOREST-TREE GROWING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND. 17I 



ground in one load, whilst, on the other hand, 7000 oak have at 

 times constituted a still heavier load. It is somewhat difficult to 

 determine accurately what number forms an average wagon-load 

 of trees of an approximate 25 cwt, but based on the past season's 

 carting the number works out at 29,600, and the transport cost 

 at 6fd. per 1000 trees." 



A considerable amount of trouble is caused by ground game. 

 Wire -netting fencing is necessary to protect the plantations 

 against damage by hares and rabbits, and precautions have to 

 be adopted to keep both red and fallow deer in check. 



The special methods adopted in dealing with forest fires and 

 the precautions taken to prevent their origin are fully explained. 



After dealing with the operations involved in clearing and 

 draining the area to be planted the writer goes on to describe 

 the methods adopted in preparing the pits for the reception ot 

 the trees. The following extracts will serve to give a good idea 

 of the methods employed : — 



" The following four distinct processes of ground-preparation 

 are recognised, each one meriting its adoption as circumstances 

 demand: (r) Spade-pitting, (2) grubber-pitting, (3) scuffling 

 ground (or 'spotting'), (4) hole-boring. 



" The first method is generally employed where the ground is 

 easily worked, and either a No. 2 or No. 3 Black's spade may 

 be used. All vegetation is cleared over a surface of 12 ins. to 

 14 ins. square, and the hole, measuring 8 ins. square and 10 ins. 

 deep, with the front side sloped in such a manner as to reduce 

 the bottom space of pit, is prepared in the centre. Where the 

 soil is light it is customary to merely reverse the sod in the pit ; but, 

 when dealing with ground of a more argillaceous composition, the 

 contents of the hole are placed on the front edge of the pit, where 

 the action of rain and frosts reduces it to a pulverised and other- 

 wise favourable state for placing against the tree-roots. In the 

 early stages of our afforestation work slightly more than ^i, los. 

 per 1000 was paid for pit-making ; but we are now able to carry 

 on precisely similar work at 50 per cent, cheaper rate. 



" In the second method a grubber-pick is used. A surface- 

 clearing is made, as before mentioned, by a well-directed blow 

 or two with the tool, after which a space of 12 ins. by 9 ins. is 

 worked up roughly to a depth of about 10 ins., and allowed to 

 remain in this state until the planting season ai rives. Such 

 pronounced success has attended repeated trials of this mode of 



