PLANTING UNDERWOOD AND GAME COVERT. 105 



any one time be so much wood cut down as to cause 

 a serious blank or opening, so as to detract from its 

 beauty and amenity, and that, without unduly extend- 

 ing the area of the woodlands, sufficient game covert 

 may be uniformly maintained. 



In isolated places the soil is found sufficiently rich 

 to admit of replanting without any artificial aid beyond 

 drying it, which is necessary in all cases. Such places 

 are, however, very rare, and would grow still better 

 by breaking up and removing the old roots ; and for 

 the better growth of hardwoods, such as oak, elm, and 

 ash, the addition of a little lime is sometimes com- 

 mendable. 



Next to preparing the soil and putting it into proper 

 condition, is that of having the plants in good order for 

 planting. For this purpose it is essential that they 

 be either grown in a home nursery or in a public 

 nursery near at hand. This is necessary, in order 

 that the plants may be safely removed at such times 

 and in such a manner as suits the circumstance of 

 each case ; and it rarely gives a plant full justice to 

 convey it from a distance, often also from a rich soil 

 and sheltered situation, and place it under conditions 

 quite of an adverse and opposite nature. 



The shrub plants most preferable for this and other 

 districts where a strong breeze prevails, and rabbits 

 have to be contended with, are, first, the common 

 variety of the rhododendron, the Ehamnus frangula, 

 Daphne laureola, the buckthorn, tree-box, and the 

 common elder and American hag. The two latter to 

 be occasionally slashed and laid down half cut through, 

 in which position game are fond of going underneath 

 for shade, shelter, and security. 



