30 PRACTICAL FORESTRY. 



may be well to point out the preparation needed on 

 land from which a crop of timber has been taken. 

 When trees of any kind have been thinned to their 

 full extent, and when those left have reached their 

 full growth, it is necessary to cut away completely the 

 residue, and so to leave the land naked, and therefore 

 unprofitable. To grub up the stumps, and clear off 

 the debris, requires a heavy outlay ; and yet, if the 

 land is to be reclaimed for the purposes of cultivation, 

 this must be resorted to. Nevertheless, in some 

 instances, this may be done to advantage, as the 

 vegetable residue will be found so great, that with 

 an application of lime the land may be rendered 

 very valuable for agricultural purposes. If this is 

 done, it will probably be when the land is fairly level, 

 and in proximity to roads, and so on. If the land is 

 hilly, or naturally of poor quality, replanting will 

 probably be the most satisfactory course to pursue. 

 On land of this character, provided proper trees are 

 selected, planting may take place at once with but 

 slight preparation. If, however, the land is wet or 

 clamp from lack of drainage, or from stoppage of 

 drains, drains should be immediately made or re- 

 opened, the soil being spread over the surface after 

 the debris has been burnt or otherwise destroyed, and 

 the land left fallow for at least a year or two. This 

 will give time for the purification of the over-burdened 

 soil, and for the natural growth of trees that may follow. 

 All debris, whether brambles, fern, deadwood, bark, 

 lop and top, and so forth, should be carefully destroyed, 

 as its presence harbours injurious insect pests and 

 fungi. 



