AREA OF PLANTATION. 23 



their boundaries are determined ; therefore we use 

 the term, " Laying out of land for plantations" 



This laying out is a matter of considerable import- 

 ance, and deserves the careful attention of the forester. 

 It will, however, be determined by the object he has 

 in view, or by the magnitude of his operations. If 

 he is laying out the land for planting large areas for 

 commercial purposes, or for the prevention of floods 

 over large districts, the form of his plantations will 

 be governed only by the natural boundary. If, 

 however, he is planting smaller areas for purposes of 

 shelter or ornament, the outline is of grave conse- 

 quence. 



It should be carefully borne in mind that if fine 

 commercial timber is required the area cannot be too 

 large. Timber of good girth and quality cannot be 

 successfully grown in narrow and exposed lines and 

 belts. From their earliest stages of growth, in these 

 positions, trees never rest, but have to fight their 

 battle with the elements. The roots are seldom quiet, 

 the rind or bark becomes hide-bound, the timber 

 gnarled and stunted. To obtain really good timber 

 the areas must be large, so that natural protection 

 is obtained. To more fully secure this the outline 

 may be so arranged as to throw off the force of the 

 prevailing winds ; and trees of thick growth planted 

 on the outsides may still further assist this end. 



As before stated, when the areas are large we would 

 allow the boundary to form the outline, only qualify- 

 ing it when it becomes exposed to more than ordinary 

 winds. But when dealing with large or small masses 

 not necessarily naturally defined we recommend a 



