Avoidable waste in planting 135 



By raising from seed where the trees are to grow, by 

 the use of young plants only, by avoiding trenching and 

 digging, by close planting at first, by keeping rabbits 

 and hares out of the ' young planting ' for at least seven 

 years, and by thought as to the nature of the soil in 

 relation to the trees we plant on it, the bugbear of need- 

 less cost may be laid low. 



Be ready. Any spirited planter will care to dwell least 

 on the losses he has had through delays in planting 

 after the plants come owing to the ground not being 

 ready. However young and fit the trees, they suffer if 

 kept too long in the little bundles in which they are 

 sent, nor do they improve by being put in stock. The 

 older the trees the more the danger. Delays through 

 frost we cannot avoid, but in various other ways we 

 can guard against loss. The right way is to prepare 

 the ground beforehand in the spring, summer, or early 

 autumn ; and if wiring or other defence against ground 

 game is needed, let that also be done and the piece of 

 ground to be planted settled and ready. If in fallow 

 throughout the summer previous to planting that would 

 be an advantage. Then when the plants come to hand 

 they are taken direct to the place and put in at once. 

 In this way many failures can be avoided. Choose or 

 order the plants early in the autumn, but do not let 

 them be sent from a distance before the leaves have 

 fallen, as it sometimes causes them to heat on the way. 

 Where, as in my case, we attempt to convert under- 

 wood into high wood, the only way out of it I know is 

 to plant good strong saplings— say 6 to 8 feet — but in 

 getting these from a distance, which we often have to 

 do, it is well to get them from nurseries where we know 

 they are transplanted, and above all not too old or 



