124 OF FOREST TREES. SECT.-X. 



consequence to take care that the roots (especially 

 of evergreen trees) do not get withered before plant- 

 ed. Evergreens do best in a dry, but deciduous 

 forest trees (generally) in a moist soil, if it is not 

 wet. Oaks in particular, though at lirst they may 

 appear to do poorly, grow well in strong moist 

 ground, and make the best timber. 



Fencing is the last thing to be considered. If trees 

 are planted where cattle go, their stems must be pro- 

 tected- from barking and rubbing. The common way 

 of small posts and little rails is well known : but if 

 large cattle are not fed where the trees are, good 

 thorns stuck round them, and tied to them, is suffi- 

 cient, and indeed this might do in almost all cases. 

 There are various ways, ordinarily known, but what- 

 ever mode is used, let it be at first well executed, 

 and afterwards repaired in time, as often as there is 

 need. Something concerning the raising of forest 

 trees will be found at page 81. 



Whoever plants forest trees, should take care to 

 dress them by proper pruning, and suffering no 

 suckers to remain about their roots. Their tops 

 should be kept equal, and not permitted to spread 

 too much in heavy branches, but trained in a light 

 and spiral way ; always preserving the leading shoot, 

 to encourage mounting, which is the perfection of a 

 forest tree. The stems of all trees designed for 

 timber, should be constantly, and timely attended 

 to, as it is necessary to rub off buds, or to cut off 

 the side shoots, except here and there a small one, 

 which may serve to detain the sap to the swelling 

 of the trunk ; but branches being left on of any 

 strength, keep the tree from mounting, and draw it 

 crooked, and such branches, if cut off when large, 

 occasion knots, and sometimes a decay. 



Plantations growing thick, should be thinned in 

 time ; but not too much at once, especially in hilly 

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