194- AltTIFU'IAL FOHMATION OF WOODS. 



pine or spruce, the area of the nursery should l)e about ^ per 

 cent, of the area to be annually planted at 4 feet apart ; if the 

 two-year-old seedlings are pricked out, and remain for another 

 two years, the nursery should conii)i-ise at least 4 per cent of 

 the area to be planted annually. 



Where broad leaved species are raised, such as oak or beech, 

 the percentage is higher. It increases very rapidly with the 

 age of the plants ; for instance in the case of twice pricked out 

 oaks, which are planted out at the age of 9 j'ears at 10 feet 

 apart, the area would amount to not less than 30 per cent, of 

 the area to be planted annually. 



r. Shapr. 



"Whenever a free choice is possible, the shape of the nursery 



should be that of a square or rectangle, because it admits of a 



regular rectangular shape being given to the seed beds witliout 



waste of area. 



<l. Fencimi. 



The nursery must be thoroughly protected against cattle 

 and game by fencing it substantially. The nature of the fence 

 depends on circumstances (see page 128) ; it may consist of a 

 stone wall, wooden or wire fence, living hedge, etc. ; stone 

 walls are liable to interfere with the free circulation of the air, 

 while living hedges take some years to grow. Of late years 

 wire fences, if necessary combined with rabbit netting, have 

 grown in public favour. 



V. bidiiiintj. 



This will, as a rule, not be necessary, as soil which requires 

 draining should not be chosen for a nursery. Where no other 

 site is available, the draining may be so arranged that the 

 water is collected in a well at the lowest point of the nursery, 

 to be used for watering during dry weather. 



f. WillciilKJ. 



As a general rule watering will be required; hence the 

 importance of choosing a site situated in the vicinity of a 



