127 



clinging plants it is apt to retard the growth of anythiag 

 it can smother, but neither blackthorn nor whitethorn 

 of a certain height appear to be affected by it, and it 

 may therefore be included in the list. Woods which 

 are entirely devoid of any undergrowth can be pro- 

 vided with good lying for foxes by planting blackberry. 

 If the wood is of considerable age and the tree roots of 

 many years have sucked up the soil's fertility, it is a 

 good plan to put a spade full of fresh earth mixed with 

 manure at each root when planting. This adds to the 

 cost, of course, but would aid materially the blackberry 

 growth. All briers seem to respond to the application 

 of manure. Having never seen blackberry planted 

 under beech I am a little doubtful if they would grow, 

 as the surface roots of these trees appear to sap all 

 virtue from the soil, but if it was desired to encourage 

 foxes in a beech wood, it would be worth planting a 

 small section as an experiment, with two spadefuls of 

 manured soil instead of one. 



Woods of any size which are cut down periodically 

 afford good lying in the young growth of the under- 

 wood, but when it is desired to hold foxes, blackberry 

 may be planted and rough grass sown as soon as the 

 timber has been cleared away. The briers will then 

 become established before the stools have had time to 

 throw out fresh shoots, and an excellent covert will be 

 the result. 



On suitable soils, usually of a peaty nature, the 

 rhododendron makes good shelter for foxes, and is 

 at the same time very ornamental, but it is unsatis- 

 factory in the neighbourhood of wandering curs as they 

 can roam at will amongst the bushes without being 

 scratched. 



