Game Coverts : their Formation and Management 183 



highly necessary for the first two years, at least, is well 

 known to all planters. Few of the shrubs treated of in this 

 paper are exempt from the attacks of hares and rabbits, 

 more especially when in a young state and newly transferred 

 from the nursery ; and for this reason it is always found 

 necessary to protect them in some way or other until fairly 

 started into growth and beyond the reach of game. For 

 this purpose wire netting is the cheapest and most effectual 

 preservative with which I am acquainted. The netting 

 should be about 4 ft. in height, not more than 1J in. mesh, 

 and inserted in the ground 4 in., to prevent rabbits from 

 working underneath. It may be fixed to posts driven firmly 

 into the ground at a distance of 5 ft. apart along the line of 

 fence. This precaution against the depredations of game 

 may not be necessary for all the clumps, but it is especially 

 so for those of laurustinus, barberry, and laurel. 



For the first two or three years after planting, the shrubs 

 should be kept free of grass and weeds, as this will encourage 

 the plants to start into growth more quickly and thrive 

 much better than they can do if the ground is impoverished 

 and light and air excluded by weeds. 



