TENDING THE PLANTATIONS 138 



If grass only is to be dealt with, and the plants are 

 fairly large, it is usually only necessary to clean round 

 them to prevent them being choked. 



If there is Heather, Whortleberry, or other such stiff 

 growths on exposed sites, it is often an advantage to clear 

 round the plants and chop off the top of the weeds between 

 the rows a little lower than the height of the plants. The 

 weeds then serve as a protection against severe winds. 



Beating Up. 



In very few cases is a plantation properly established 

 in the first year. Drought, frost, or vermin will usually 

 account for a percentage of deaths. The blanks thus 

 caused must be refilled. In the first beating-up season, 

 plants that have been left over for the purpose must be 

 used. For instance, if the wood was planted with 

 2-year 1-year plants; 2-year 2-year must be used for 

 beating up. In the next season 2-year 3-year plants 

 will be required, so that even height growth may be 

 preserved. If there are still blanks after that, in light- 

 demanding crops, shade-bearers must be used, or some 

 faster-growing species. Usually three years is sufficient 

 to establish a crop, but sometimes attacks by insects or 

 fungi may cause large blanks. Agaricus melleus, the 

 honey fungus, will often do incalculable damage in 

 coniferous plantations. Hardwoods, as a rule, are 

 immune from damage by this fungus, and these must be 

 used to fill up the blanks. Sycamore, being quick- 

 growing, is particularly useful for the purpose. Where 

 the damage is by insects — Pine weevil, for instance — 



