ROADS AND RIDES 69 



benefit the plants ; but in such places the grass itself is not 

 usually tall and rank ; and the turf has not a close, matted 

 sod, like turf on good land ; nor is there the same com- 

 petition for plant food and water. So also, there is not the 

 same danger of late and early frosts during the growing 

 season. 



And, furthermore, on poor shifting sands a loose covering 

 of grass will be beneficial by binding the soil together. 



The Laying out of Rides and Compartments. This 

 matter has already been alluded to. 1 The general rule was 

 stated that the broad main rides or roads should be made 

 parallel to, or in the direction of, the prevailing winds ; 

 whilst only narrow rides should run at right angles to the 

 prevailing winds, so as to minimise the danger of windfall, 

 which is greatest in even-aged high forest and under the group 

 system. 



But this general rule must sometimes be departed from 

 on account of the natural features of the ground. The main 

 ride or road should, on undulating land, be marked out with 

 an easy, even gradient, where possible ; avoiding unnecessary 

 bridges and steep inclines. 



When large areas are planted, it will often be advisable 

 to convert some of the main rides into good hard metal 

 roads. If stone can be quarried near by, the cost of metalling 

 the roads will vary from 35. 6d. to 6s. a yard run. But such 

 an outlay should never be undertaken at the beginning of 

 a rotation ; as money would be needlessly spent without any 

 benefit being obtained for a long term of years. 



When steep hillsides are planted, the main ride should 

 be along the valley at the bottom, down to which the timber 

 may easily be dragged ; or slides may be made to effect the 

 same purpose. 



The proportion of any woodland area occupied by roads 

 and rides is often very considerable ; and, when the land is 

 valuable, it involves a direct loss of income ; a matter which 

 should be taken into account when making financial calcula- 

 tions. 



1 Vide Chapter II. 



