FOREST BOUNDARIES. 21 



(d) Immediate repair of all defects in the marks, repainting 

 fading numbers, etc., before any point becomes doubtful. 

 Marks which may have been removed can be replaced only 

 with the consent of both owners or by order of a Court of Law. 

 Any uncertainty about the position of forest boundary marks, 

 that are also boundary marks of adjoining States, gives rise to 

 much difficulty. 



(e) Immediate report of all tampering with established 

 boundaries and prosecution of the offenders. 



8. Cost. 



The cost of erecting and maintaining forest boundaries 

 should be divided between the adjacent owners, unless there is 

 any legal provision to the contrary. 



These costs vary so much according to circumstances, that 

 it is difficult to lay down any general estimates ; the following 

 figures may be considered approximate. One man can erect 

 in one day an earth boundary mound 4 to 5 feet in diameter 

 and 3 to 4 feet high, and can sod about 3 to 6 such mounds, 

 and repair from 6 to 9 of them. 



Hewn limestone boundary stones cost 2 to 3 shillings 

 each, and 20 such stones can be carted by two horses. Iron 

 boundary posts cost from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. each. 



In loam, a man can dig in one day 30 to 40 yards of boundary 

 trench, 10 inches wide at the base, and of the same depth. In 

 light soils, the labour is from 10 to 15 per cent, heavier. 



Boundary works are generally done by contract, and on the 

 continent of Europe repairs to forest ditches are frequently 

 executed by petty offenders in lieu of fines'. 



9. Improvement of Boundaries. 



Advantage should be taken of every opportunity to consoli- 

 date forest property and thereby to improve its boundaries. 

 This can be done by purchase, disposal or exchange of land, 

 so as to cut off inconvenient corners or narrow strips, to alienate 

 detached pieces, or to acquire enclosures belonging to other 

 proprietors. 



