122 



to make the ground firm. Select fine weather for sowing 

 and the first rain will quickly germinate the seeds. 

 I am not quite certain on this point, but am under the 

 impression that gorse in its first leaf is subject to the 

 turnip fly, but it should be carefully watched until 

 reaching its normal appearance. If these details are 

 carefully carried out there will be covert to hold a fox 

 in three years. Remember that if the seed bed is rough 

 and lumpy you cannot expect any success. No hoeing 

 should be done until the gorse is in second leaf as the 

 roots have not established a hold in the ground ; also, 

 do not hoe too near the plants lest the soil becomes 

 loose. 



If the site is not enclosed a quick hedge should be 

 planted round and protected with a post and rail fence. 

 When the total enclosure is anything over six acres 

 I should be inclined to encircle the gorse with a band 

 of quick and privet about ten yards in width. Quick, 

 the common term for plants, white thorn, or hawthorn, 

 does not make a good covert by itself, but in con- 

 junction with privet affords excellent shelter for foxes. 

 The object of enclosing the gorse with this band is that 

 it keeps out stray dogs when the gorse gets hollow 

 underneath. The whole must be enclosed with wire 

 nettmg and no rabbits allowed inside. The wire should 

 be buried three or four inches in the ground to prevent 

 them scratching under it, but can be removed altogether 

 at the end of three years. 



Much depends on the soil, the situation and the 

 climate in the growth of gorse, but after seven or eight 

 years it will begin to get lanky and hollow underneath. 

 Should the covert be of sufficient size to permit the 

 loss, one quarter should be cut down and burnt 



