SYLVICULTURE 41 



allows of more natural development, and has every advantage 

 over the former method. 



Ordinary nursery stock comprises, apart from layers and 

 cuttings, seedling plants, transplants, and saplings. In Britain, 

 plants are called " seedlings " so long as they are not removed 

 from the seed-bed. They are generally from one to three 

 years old. Transplants, on the other hand, are small plants 

 that have been once or several times set out in nursery 

 lines ; and saplings are older transplants of deciduous species, 

 usually from four to nine feet high. 



Forest Nurseries 



Nurseries may be either of a temporary or permanent 

 nature. Both forms have their advantages. The former 

 are more simply formed, and being placed adjacent to the 

 area about to be planted, save distant transport. In hilly 

 country, plants so raised have the advantage of remaining in 

 the altitude and under the conditions in which they were 

 reared. But perhaps the greatest advantage gained by using 

 a nursery for only a few years is that it requires little or no 

 manuring, and a portion of the plants may be left upon the 

 ground to form a plantation after the purpose of raising nur- 

 sery stock has been fulfilled. The manuring of permanent 

 nurseries to supply materials withdrawn in the removal of 

 young plants, is not effected without considerable outlay ; 

 but, again, such nurseries generally yield better plants under 

 the more intensive treatment which they receive ; the most 

 suitable site as regards soil, aspect, etc., may be chosen for 

 them, and protective measures can be more easily enforced 

 than is the case with shifting nurseries. 



The site most suitable for a nursery is a well-sheltered 

 piece of ground having a gentle slope to the north or north- 

 east the exposure least dangerous for frost. The soil should 

 be deep, fresh, friable, and as clear of stones as possible. A 

 sandy loam is far superior to strong clay soil. Temporary 

 nurseries are usually formed on newly cleared areas. 



