ASSESSMENT OF THE LOCALITY. 47 



Turning to the soil, the following points, as already 

 indicated, require attention : — 



(«.) The depth of the soil. 



(/>.) The degree of porosity. 



(e.) The -degree of moisture peculiar to the soil. 



{(1.) The chemical composition. 

 A detailed examination of the factors of the soil is a com- 

 pHcated and difficult operation, which it is not intended to 

 describe here. There is, however, a somewhat rough and 

 ready method, which generally suffices for sylvicultural 

 purposes, and which will be shortly indicated. 



The most convenient way of examining the soil is to dig 

 a hole, if possible in a spot which promises to yield average 

 results. On fairly level ground the spot should be selected 

 on an average part of the area, that is to say, neither in any 

 small depression nor on any slight elevation which may exist. 

 In hilly or mountainous localities, separate holes must be 

 dug on the ridge, the slope and at the bottom of the valley. 

 The depth of the hole must be at least equal to the depth to 

 which the roots ordinarily penetrate, that is to say, 8 to 4 

 feet. Where rock is met at a smaller depth than this, its 

 stratification and general composition should be ascertained, 

 as well as its effect upon the regulation of moisture and 

 the stability of the trees. One side of the hole, at any 

 rate, should be perpendicular, so that the thickness of the 

 successive layers of the soil can be measured, in so far as 

 they are indicated by different colour, different degree of 

 cohesion, and other outward signs. The depth to which 

 the soil is coloured dark by humus should be specially 

 noted. 



This operation will show, whether the soil is sufficiently 

 deep to admit of a proper spreading of the roots, and if not, 

 the examination of the subsoil will indicate, how far the 

 latter can make up for the shallowness of the surface soil. 

 The same operation will indicate, what effect the depth and 

 nature of the soil have on the degree of moisture. Next 



