FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS. 



employed, but brackets for the same purpose are preferable, 

 these being attached to the straining posts. 



They are of particular value as the wire can be tightened 

 or slackened at will. 



The posts should be rounded on the top or sawn with 

 a slant, so as to run off the rain. 



(4.) Draining and Clearing the Ground. Efficient drainage 

 must be considered as one of the most important operations 

 in the formation of a plantation. Every portion of the 

 ground may not, probably, require to be drained, but where 

 it is at all surcharged with moisture the removal of such 

 will be a step in the right direction if the future welfare of 

 the trees is a point of first importance. In commencing 

 draining the position of the main outlet must first be 

 determined, and in doing so every fall of the ground should 

 be taken advantage of. It is quite impossible to lay down 

 rules as to the number, sizes, and distances apart of the* 

 Tarious drains, these being points that can only be 

 satisfactorily settled on the spot, and when the nature of the 

 soil, lie of the ground, and amount of rainfall to be carried 

 off are determined. In most cases, however, the main 

 drains should be from 2 ft. 6 in. to fully 3 ft. wide at the top 

 or surface, from 10 in. to 12 in. wide at the bottom, and 

 about 3 ft. deep. The minor drains may be less in propor- 

 tion to the mains, and are usually 2 ft. deep, 2J ft. wide at 

 top, and the width of the draining spade at bottom. 



According to the nature of the ground so will the 

 distances at which the drains should be cut vary, but in 

 most cases from 15 ft. to 30 ft., sometimes even less, and some- 

 times considerably more. The minor drains should never 

 run at right angles to the main, but at about 45, which will 

 prevent the .mouths becoming choked up when there is a 

 rush of water in the main. The soil removed from the 

 drains should be evenly spread out over the ground- surface. 

 All rough herbage and shrubby growth is usually either cut 

 away or burned on the plantation-site, but this operation, 

 particularly on exposed ground, is not to be generally 

 recommended, as the shelter afforded by it is frequently 

 considerable. Hitherto the power of young forest trees to 



41 



