WOODLANDS 161 



coloring of the brown leaves as an accompaniment of the 

 lights and shadows of the forest. 



There are, however, many other ways by which the 

 health of woodlands can be improved from year to year, 

 for around the roots of trees in bare, unfertile places, 

 from which the leaves have blown, good soil, mixed with 

 manure, may be applied several inches thick with advan- 

 tage. 



Then the streams that flow, at times, through bits of 

 forest can be cleaned out, and retained in their own 

 channels, thus relieving the trees from damp, and malefi- 

 cent influences. 



So far, we have considered only things such as will 

 make for the beauty and health of the woodlands ; but 

 when we come to foot-paths, we shall encounter features 

 that, though necessary, can offer no reason for existing 

 except their necessity, and should, therefore, in the in- 

 terest of the woodlands, be limited to wandering trails, 

 just wide enough for two to walk abreast, and reaching 

 around large portions of the territory without crisscross- 

 ing them with a network of foot- ways. 



Cultivation, in the form of digging and, plowing, 

 seems always to be out of place in woodlands, because it 

 tends to disturb the mulching and enriching process that 

 is being fostered by the shade and by the fall of leaves ; 

 and so, likewise, the paths or trails should have little 

 trimming, only just a rough levelling to prevent water 

 from settling in pools, and there may be added, with ad^ 

 vantage, an inch or two of sand or gravel, to kill weeds 

 and render footing more dry and agreeable. 



It is mischievous negligence that allows cattle to 

 wander in the borders of woods, destroying the lower 

 foliage of the trees, and with it that beautiful effect of 

 11 



