226 AFFORESTATION OF WASTE LANDS 



the land is usually of poorer quality than where bell-heather 

 and grass occurs, but is plantable. The best land is usually 

 that which has had a crop of scrub or coppice, or where there 

 is a luxuriant growth of bracken, or good pasture grass. On 

 peat land where rushes and bog myrtle are found, the ground 

 may usually be planted after draining. 



Having surveyed the whole area, a brief report should be 

 drawn up under the following headings : 



j. Ordnance sheets. (Give numbers of 6" maps covering 

 the area.) 



2. Area statement. (Example) : 



Rough pasture. Plantable . . . 2123 acres 



Unplantable . . 240 



Woods . . . . . 13 . 10 



Agricultural land . . . . . 40 



Total , . "" . 2413 



3. Topography. 



4. Soil and geology. 



5. Aspect, slope and exposure. 



6. Vegetation. 



7. Forest growth. 



8. Planting limit. (Reasons for fixing the limit as shown 

 on map.) 



9. General remarks. (Species to be chosen, drainage re- 

 quired, facilities for transport, &c.) 



The survey and preparation of the report will be of great 

 value, and ensures that the whole scheme is well thought out 

 before any planting is undertaken. 



Clearing the Land. 



The survey being completed and a decision to plant having 

 been made, it will be necessary to clear the surface to prepare 

 it for planting. On waste lands there will usually be a growth 

 of bracken, gorse, heather, or ling, bilberry and grasses, and 



