PLANTING. 79 



(i.) An equal growing space is allotted to each plant, 

 (ii.) The plants are subsequently easier to find, and 

 protected against being overgrown; failures 

 are easier ascertained. 



(iii.) The area between the plants can be more fully 

 utilized; grass cutting can be allowed at an 

 earlier stage ; field crops may be grown between 

 the lines ; cattle grazing, where unavoidable, 

 causes less damage, especially if the plants are 

 arranged in lines, 

 (iv.) In mixed woods the several species can be more 



evenly mixed. 



v.) Early thinnings are considerably facilitated, 

 (vi.) The woods can be more easily protected against 

 damage, especially by injurious insects, or fire, 

 (vii.) It is claimed that regular plantings are cheaper 

 to execute, because the work of distributing 

 and putting in the plants proceeds in a more 

 systematic manner. Whether this advantage 

 is realized or not, depends on the skill of the 

 labourers available and the supervision exer- 

 cised over the operations. 



Against these advantages it must be mentioned that 

 air currents have more easy access to regular planta- 

 tions, may sweep away the fallen leaves or heap them 

 together, and dry up the soil more rapidly. This disad- 

 vantage can be met by planting dense shelter belts against 

 the prevailing wind, or, to some extent, by arranging 

 the planting lines at right angles to the wind direction. 



A completely regular distribution is not practicable 

 where the nature of the soil changes rapidly ; for 



