NATIONAL AFFORESTATION 



joining farmers as sheep pastures at a few 

 shillings per acre. Gorse, broom, heath, and 

 the dwarf willow, constituted the shrubby 

 vegetation, other plants including the parsley 

 and hay-scented ferns in abundance; while 

 the vaccinium, cotton-grass, sundew, and 

 sphagnum, tenanted the damp ground. The 

 higher side of the area planted was protected 

 by a stone wall, the lower boundary being an 

 iron and wire fence. The preliminary work 

 consisted of clearing the ground of all rough- 

 growing vegetation that might impede plant- 

 ing operations, drainage where necessary, and 

 levelling over a few ditches and turf fences 

 that had existed in years gone by. Every- 

 thing being in readiness for straight-ahead 

 work, about a hundred quarrymen were en- 

 gaged as a start, few of whom lived nearer than 

 two miles from where the plantation was being 

 formed. They brought their food with them, 

 which was heated on the ground in a rough tem- 

 porary shelter, which also served for rest and 

 recreation. Pay was at a similar rate to that 

 on the estate, and each man was provided with 

 the necessary tools for pitting and planting. 

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