64 PRACTICAL FORESTRY. 



allowed his hares to increase enormously. Not only 

 were all the young plantations entirely destroyed, but 

 the large ash were completely barked as high as the 

 hares could reach. The estate presented a forlorn 

 and pitiable appearance. Here the injury had become 

 a perpetuity, and will affect future and successive 

 generations. To an agricultural crop the injury is a 

 passing and temporary one and may be overcome. 



This, of course, is an extreme case, but nine times 

 out of ten injury is done, and carelessly permitted to 

 continue, which not only renders the result of the ex- 

 penditure but a partial success, but often retards even 

 this for many years. 



Constant replanting, which is often carried out, 

 results in an uneven growth, and a large percentage 

 of trees never reach maturity, but are killed by drip 

 and want of light. Some proprietors aver that trees 

 bitten off will recover and make a new start with a 

 new leader, or that trees barked will eventually revive, 

 but there can be no greater delusion. They may un- 

 doubtedly live, but they will never thrive. In a well- 

 protected plantation, and where the work has been 

 well executed, about 15 per cent, will require replant- 

 ing the first season after planting, and perhaps from 5 

 to 10 per cent, the second year. But where ground 

 game has been allowed to live upon them, from 50 to 

 70 per cent, will need replanting, and often the whole. 

 Some profess to guard their plantations by wire 

 netting, but this we have in every instance found to 

 result in failure. To wire all round extensive planta- 

 tions is a matter of great expense, and to render it 

 secure requires the constant services of a trustworthy 



