THE FOREST NURSERY 



243 



for the lower portion of the fence, the under edge of which is in- 

 serted from 4 to 6 inches in the ground. 



In regions of excessive rainfall, stone walls and other close 

 fences are objectionable as they obstruct the free passage of the 

 wind, thus checking soil evaporation. On the other hand, fences 

 of this character are preferable in localities that suffer from ex- 

 cessive soil evaporation. Living hedges of hemlock, arbor-vitse, 

 privet, and other suitable species are admirable for checking wind 

 velocity at the surface of the ground. When the nursery is on 



FIG. 50. Interior hedges in a forest nursery. Near Chorin, Prussia. 



light, sandy soil and liable to suffer from summer drought, the 

 hedge is preferable. The chief objection to its more extended 

 use is the long time that it takes to grow and the frequent atten- 

 tion required in order to keep it properly trimmed. Where lines of 

 interior hedges are used in large nurseries, they should be at right 

 angles to the direction of the prevailing wind (Fig. 50). 



Gates or turnstiles should be constructed at advantageous 

 points. Because of the large amount of labor required in nursery 

 work and the necessity for frequently passing in and out of the 

 nursery, turnstiles are usually preferable to small gates. 



