34 Practical Forestry 



itself in two opposite directions, thereby losing much of 

 its destructive power. Blending one curve with another 

 should be strictly observed, and continuous straight lines 

 should be avoided, not only for appearance sake, but as it 

 is well known that the most destructive force of the wind 

 concentrates on such outlines. 



Woodland Roads. These are necessary for access to 

 the wood when thinning, the removal of timber and fire- 

 wood, and for sporting purposes. They should either be 

 pegged out or formed before planting operations have been 

 commenced, and need neither be of an elaborate character 

 nor attended with great expense in construction. Accord- 

 ing to the area of the plantation, so should the roads be 

 arranged, and a considerable saving is effected by laying 

 out the roads and leaving them unplan ted. Usually they 

 are made 30 ft. wide, and only require to have the surface 

 equalised and any stagnant moisture removed by drainage. 



It is a good plan, so as at all times to keep the drives 

 in a passable, dry condition, to cut a ditch along each side 

 of the ride, parallel to it, and, say, 18 in. wide by 15 in. 

 deep. The soil so removed will come in for filling up in- 

 equalities on the road surface. Steep roads should be 

 avoided by following, in quickly sloping woodlands, the 

 curve of the ground. , 



For sowing down woodland drives, bridle-paths, etc., the 

 following mixture of grass seeds is to be recommended : 



Ibs. 

 Timothy grass, hard fescue, tall fescue, and meadow 



foxtail, 2 Ibs. each 8 



Smooth stalked meadow and rough cocksfoot, 4 Ibs. 



each . . . . . . . . .8 



Rough stalked meadow and sweet-scented vernal, 4 



Ibs. each ........ 8 



Wood meadow grass . . . . . .8 



Total . 32 



In sowing down gravelly or sandy rides, I have found the 

 Lyme or sand grass Elymus arenarius and the Sea Mat- 

 weed Psamma arenaria to answer well, the seeds of each 

 being sown in equal proportions. 



