36 Practical Forestry 



sheep and cattle not less than six wires should be erected, 

 and galvanized strand wire is preferable. The total height 

 of the fence need not exceed 3 ft. 6 in., and the top wires 

 should be placed farther apart than those lower down. 



In tightening the wires a straining machine is usually 

 employed, but brackets for the same purpose are preferable, 

 these being attached to the straining-posts. 



They are of particular value, as the wire can be tightened 

 or slackened at will. 



The posts should be rounded on the top or sawn with a 

 slant, so that the rain may run off. 



Draining the Ground. Efficient drainage must be 

 considered as one of the most important operations in the 

 formation of a plantation. Every portion of the ground 

 may not. probably, require to be drained, but where it is 

 at all surcharged with moisture the removal of such will be 

 a step in the right direction if the future welfare of the 

 trees is a point of first importance. In commencing draining 

 the position of the main outlet must first be determined, 

 and in doing so every fall of the ground should be taken 

 advantage of. It is quite impossible to lay down rules as 

 to the number, sizes, and distances apart of the various 

 drains, these being points that can only be satisfactorily 

 settled on the spot, and when the nature of the soil, lie of 

 the ground, and amount of rainfall to be carried off are 

 determined. In most cases, however, the main drains 

 should be from 2 ft. 6 in. to fully 3 ft. wide at the top or 

 surface, from 10 in. to 12 in. wide at the bottom, and about 

 3 ft. deep. The minor drains may be less in proportion to 

 the mains, and are usually 2 ft. deep, 2 ft. wide at top, and 

 the width of the draining spade at bottom. 



According to the nature of the ground so will the dis- 

 tances at which the drains should be cut vary, but in most 

 < s from 15 ft. to 30 ft., sometimes even less, and some- 

 times considerably more. The minor drains should never. 

 run at right angles to the main, but at about 45, which will 

 prevent the mouths becoming choked up when there is a 

 ni>h of water in the main. The soil removed from the 

 drains should be evenly spread out over the ground- surf ace. 



