108 PROTECTION AGAINST ANIMALS. 



b. Sufficient Fodder must le Supplied to the Deer in Winter. 



Oats, turnips, acorns and chestnuts are best. Basic slag 

 should be mixed with the food, as already stated (page 98). 

 Feeding only with hay or leaf-fodder causes the deer to fall-off 

 in health, and prevents the formation of good antlers, whilst 

 acorns are best for the latter. The fodder should not be given 

 on felling-areas, nor near recent thinnings, as the deer loiter 

 about near the feeding-places and cause damage. Owing to 

 the scarcity of food, antlers in the Highlands of Scotland are 

 very poor when compared with Continental antlers, or those 

 from English parks, or from Exmoor. 



c. Fences against Red-Deer. 



These should not be less than 7 feet in height, and on slopes 

 another foot may be added to prevent the deer from leaping 

 the fences. 



d. To Prevent Browsing. 



Young forest growth may be sprinkled with blood and cow- 

 dung, or open jars full of blood buried in the ground. Coal- 

 tar may be lightly painted on strong young conifers, excepting 

 the buds. It is best done by passing the shoots lightly 

 through the hand covered by a tarred glove. This should be 

 done from September till November, and repeated when 

 necessary. The spruce stands this treatment less well than 

 the Scots pine, and broadleaved species suffer from the 

 practice. The cost is not high, about 2s. 6d. an acre, including 

 the purchase of 6 Ibs. of tar. A woman can tar 300 plants in 

 an hour. 



Broadleaved species may be daubed with the following 

 mixture : 



Carriage grease . . .5 Ibs. 



Petroleum . . . . 2J quarts. 



Alum . . . .fib. 



Tallow . . - . .Jib. 



This gives enough for 600 plants. Plants may also be limed, 

 the terminal buds being smeared with a brush dipped in 

 whitewash. This costs tor silver-fir Is. tid. per 1,000 plants, 



