THE FORMATION AND MANAGEMENT OF GAME COVERTS. 



exempt from the attacks of hares and rabbits, more especi- 

 ally when in a young state and newly transferred from the 

 nursery ; and for this reason it is always found necessary 

 to protect them in some way or other until fairly started 

 into growth and beyond the reach of game. For this pur- 

 pose wire netting is the cheapest and most effectual pre- 

 servative with which I am acquainted. The netting should 

 be about 4 feet in height, not more than 1J inch mesh, and 

 inserted in the ground 4 inches, to prevent rabbits from 

 working underneath. It may be fixed to posts driven firmly 

 into the ground at a distance of 5 feet apart along the line 

 of fence. This precaution against the depredations of game 

 may not be necessary for all the clumps, bat it is especially 

 so for those of laurustinus, barberry, and laurel. 



For the first two or three years after planting, the shrubs 

 should be kept free of grass and weeds, which will encourage 

 the plants to start into growth quicker and thrive much 

 better than they can do if the ground is impoverished and 

 light and air excluded by weeds. 



107 



