148 SYLVICULTURE IN THE TROPICS 



rr. ii 



However good the soil, there comes a time when 

 permanent nurseries require manuring. It is usual to 

 let a certain portion of the nursery lie fallow in its 

 turn, and manures of various sorts may be applied, or 

 leguminous crops can be cultivated on the area and then 

 ploughed in ; in fact, a permanent nursery has to be 

 treated very much in the same way as field crops. In 

 all nurseries, whether temporary or permanent, it is 

 advisable to collect into a pit all leaves, twigs, and other 

 vegetable debris which are swept in keeping the place 

 clean. In hot and damp localities leaf- mould can 

 usually be obtained from the bottom of the pit after 

 two or three months ; in drier countries some moisture 

 may be added, liquid manure being the best, and the 

 heap should be turned over from time to time in order 

 to get it well aired. One of the best mild manures for 

 nurseries is obtained from turf-ash, which is prepared 

 by making dome-shaped kilns of alternate layers of 

 firewood and of sods, the latter being placed two or 

 three thick with the grass turned inward. The soil 

 may also have to be corrected by addition of sand, 

 loamy clay, lime, etc. 



Permanent nurseries should be provided with the 

 proper buildings for storing tools, seeds, stables for any 

 cattle which may be kept, office, etc. For the housing 

 of the establishment it should be borne in mind that it 

 is false economy, in countries where tropical diseases 

 are prevalent, to think that any kind of shed is good 

 enough for native workmen. Good houses mean healthy 

 and contented workmen, and secure continuity of work. 

 Especially in places where mosquitoes are prevalent, 

 the doors and windows should be provided with 

 mosquito -proof wire -netting ; in damp localities the 

 houses should be well raised from the ground, either on 

 plinths or on piles, and strict attention should be given 

 to sanitation, both in the provision of proper latrines 

 and in insisting that no puddles be left on the ground 

 where mosquitoes may breed. The same remark applies 

 to empty tins and pieces of glass or earthenware, within 



