228 AFFORESTATION OF WASTE LANDS 



Fencing. 



This is very expensive and must be dispensed with as far as 

 possible. It is better to stand the damage done by a few stray 

 animals rather than to fence, but if there is a chance of trespass 

 by large numbers of sheep or cattle a stock fence must be 

 erected. Rabbits should be exterminated if possible, other- 

 wise the area must be fenced with rabbit netting. On really 

 large areas bordered by woods and fields it may be sufficient 

 to erect a fence along the dangerous boundary, leaving the 

 further side, especially at the higher elevation in hilly land, 

 open. If a rabbit catcher is employed it will often be found 

 possible to keep down the rabbits and gradually to exterminate 

 them, and to dispense with a completely closed fence. If the 

 forest staff is given permission to set wire snares and to retain 

 the rabbits for their own use, it is wonderful how quickly the 

 rabbits disappear, now that they are of considerable value, 

 and if this can be accomplished it saves the owner a very large 

 sum in fencing. Still, of course, where rabbits are really 

 numerous, netting must be erected, care being taken to exter- 

 minate all those inside the fence. Fencing against deer is 

 seldom necessary, it being better to stand the damage done 

 and to fill up gaps than to spend the large sum required for 

 fencing. 



Laying out of rides and roads. 



Before planting commences it is very essential to lay out on 

 the ground the system of rides. No roads need be made to 

 start with, but the line along which they will eventually be 

 required for transport should form a ride. It may be possible 

 in fairly flat land to lay out these rides by eye, but in hilly 

 land it will be necessary to make a proper survey and to take 

 levels. In doing this work thought should be given to the 

 future transport of timber, to fire-lines, and to the division of 

 the plantations into compartments and future felling series. 



