CONCLUDING HINTS ON PLANTING. 119 



the soil and subsoil are effectually broken within a 

 circuit of 3J feet. 



Black-game are very destructive to the Scots pine 

 when below 2 feet in height ; they pick out the buds 

 during the winter season, which is in effect cutting off 

 the top-shoot of the young plant. 



Young pine plantations should not be formed where 

 pine timber has been cleared off till the ground has 

 lain long enough to purify itself, or otherwise rendered 

 fit for planting by burning, draining, trenching, and 

 fallowing (as a substitute for liming), which is better 

 for the growth of the trees, especially conifers. Trees 

 must be completely protected from hares, rabbits, 

 squirrels, and animals of all kinds that would other- 

 wise injure or destroy them in any way, whether root, 

 stem, branch, or foliage. 



RULES FOR PLANTING. 



1. Never plant ground that is not dry as deep 

 as the roots of trees go down to fairly establish the 

 tree. 



2. Avoid deep planting that is to say, plant so 

 that the swell of the roots is fairly above the general 

 surface of the ground. 



3. Plant only such trees as the soil and situation 

 will bring to the state of perfection they are intended 

 to attain. 



4. In planting small groups, the trees should be 

 planted closer than in planting large areas, and thin- 

 ning done early in proportion as the trees are close 

 planted. 



5. Plant in autumn in preference to spring, and 

 rather in September than April. September is the 



