in raising and protecting OaJc Plantations. 131 



teen years old, where the oaks have been planted six years (or 

 eleven from the acorn), they are now from 12ft. to 20ft. high; 

 the pines here having been reduced to the distance between 

 the trees of about 20 ft. from each other. In another pine 

 plantation, with oaks planted four years, every alternate row of 

 pines is now being cut down. In another, the oaks planted 

 three years are 7 or 8 feet high, and the plants are strong and 

 flourishing. In another, the oaks planted two years ago (in a 

 pine plantation, then thirteen years old, and 15 ft. high,) are 

 thriving well ; though the branches of the pines nearly meet 

 over them. In another, holes are made for planting oaks next 

 February, where the pine plantation is twelve years old, hut of 

 slow grovoth. In a fast-growing plantation of pines six years old, 

 a like preparation is made for oaks. Some of the pine branches 

 are lopped ; but no trees will be removed till the following year. 



In a plantation made on the old plan^ twelve years ago, the 

 oaks are bushy, and not half the height of those planted among 

 the pines sia: years ago ,- although the land is equally good. 



The general result of this improved method of planting, com- 

 pared with the old mode, is, that the oaks attain double the 

 growth in half the time, besides being much finer and better- 

 formed trees; and there does not appear to iiave been a failure 

 of one plant in a hundred. It is now about seven years since 

 Mr. Turner commenced this system of planting oaks in the New 

 Forest ; and it has since been introduced, under his superintend- 

 ence, into some other of the royal forests. 



The following directions, with respect to planting, pruning, 

 &.C., as practised in this forest, were communicated by the sur- 

 veyor : — • 



Sow the Scotch pine and pinaster seed in March or 

 April; transplant them the first year close together (about 100 

 plants in a yard), in rows 1 ft. apart : to be transplanted the 

 second time 4 in. apart in the rows. The Scotch pine is some- 

 times transplanted but once, but better twice; the pinaster 

 should be transplanted every year : these will be fit to plant out 

 at three years' growth ; the Scotch pine at four years'. 



Sow acorns in February, in ground trenched a foot deep; 

 transplant them in the following February or March, 6 in. apart, 

 in rows 15 in. asunder; cutting off the taproot, but trimming 

 the other roots only where injured. The oaks may then remain 

 three years till planted out. 



In forming the plantation, the pines may be put in widi a 

 planting-spade. Two men can thus plant 600 in a day. 



The oaks should be planted in holes dug 18 in. deep (but 

 partly refilled with the loose earth) and 18 in. square. The 

 cost of digging these holes is from Is. to Is, 9d. per hundred, 

 according to the nature of the soil. 



K 2 



