CHAPTER VI. 



FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS. 



(1.) Laying out the Ground. For the benefit of the trees, 

 for shelter purposes, and for the general appearance of the 

 surrounding country, it would he well were more attention 

 paid to the laying-out of the sites for new plantations. In 

 many cases, however, there is no choice in the matter, the 

 proprietor saying, Here is a field that is of no great value 

 for agricultural purposes, plant it up. But in the case of 

 hillside or moorland planting the matter is usually different, 

 the choice of ground, size of plantation, and method of 

 planting heing left entirely in the hands of the forester. 

 Many considerations will tend to determine the position of 

 boundaries bounds of property, proximity to roads, public 

 paths, and the existence or future probabilities of modes of 

 transit, all being more or less significant factors. 



First, however, it is advisable to take into consideration, 

 when planting hillside or moorland, the shelter to be afforded 

 to cultivated land in the neighbourhood, but a combination 

 of this with the aforementioned considerations will be all- 

 important. 



The form of the outline must also be laid out with due 

 regard to the prevailing wind, and should always present a 

 convex side towards it, as it is obvious that on striking such 

 a curve the force of the wind would be divided and expend 

 itself in two opposite directions, thereby losing much of its 

 destructive power. Blending one curve with another 

 should be strictly observed, and continuous straight lines 

 should be avoided, not only for appearance sake, but as it is 



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