DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 177 



(v.) Early thinnings are considerably facilitated. 



(vi.) The woods can be more easily protected against 



damage, especially by injm-ioiis insects, or fire. 



(vii.) It is claimed that regular plantings are cheaper to 



execute, because the work of distributing and putting 



in the plants proceeds in a more systematic manner. 



Whether this advantage is realised or not, depends on 



the skill of the labourers and the supervision exercised 



over the operations. 



Against these advantages it must be mentioned that air 



currents have more easy access to regular plantations, may 



sweep away the fallen leaves or heap them together, and dry 



up the soil more rapidly. This disadvantage can be met by 



planting shelter belts of trees with branches down to the 



ground against the prevailing wind, or, to some extent, by 



arranging the planting lines at right angles to the wind 



direction. It is also claimed, that irregular planting is 



preferable from an aesthetic point of view. 



A completely regular distribution is not practicable where 

 the nature of the soil changes rapidly ; for instance, where 

 wet swampy spots alternate with dry parts, or where rocks are 

 scattered over the area ; nor is it necessary on small blanks 

 scattered over already existing woods. 



The comparative merits of the three principal forms of 

 regular distribution have been much discussed. The triangular 

 form allots to each plant the most regular growing space, 

 since every plant is equi-distant from its neighbours ; this 

 favours an even development of the trees. It admits of a 

 greater number of plants per acre, and produces the greatest 

 quantity of material ; the saplings also clear themselves more 

 readily of their lower branches. On the other hand, it is 

 more troublesome to lay out and more expensive than the 

 two other forms. 



Line planting has the disadvantage that the cover overhead 

 is somewhat later established, that the saplings develop 

 stronger branches on two sides than in the direction of the 



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