72 Practical Forestry 



Padus) are excellent ornamental trees for exposed grounds, 

 where they grow to a large size and flower freely. They can 

 both subsist where but a small depth of soil is present. 



Preparation of the Ground and Planting. As regards 

 the pits for planting, these should be well prepared that is, 

 the soil loosened up and made free for the roots to run in, 

 which will greatly help the trees to become quickly estab- 

 lished a point of great importance on exposed ground. The 

 top turf may be chopped up and placed in the bottom of the 

 pit, this serving, when decomposed, as manure to the roots, 

 and assisting to promote vigorous growth. In planting, 

 place the best-rooted sides of the trees to the windward or 

 most exposed site, and do not cover with the soil to a greater 

 depth than that in which the plant stood whilst in the nur- 

 sery border. On very exposed sites, and where the soil is 

 thin, notch planting and inserting with the planting iron are 

 to be recommended. 



It will be well, at stated intervals, to examine young 

 plantations formed on high-lying and exposed ground, to 

 see that the plants do not get shaken about with the wind 

 and holes formed around the stems. This latter is highly 

 injurious to the welfare of the plants, as the air passing down 

 the stem side causes the roots to get dry to an inordinate 

 degree. 



Wind-swaying, where these holes have been formed around 

 the stem, is also hurtful, as the tender roots get strained and 

 barked, and ill fitted for maintaining a healthy condition of 

 the young trees. The holes formed by swaying of the steins 

 should be filled up with fine soil not stones, as is some- 

 times the case and a small piece of stiff, grassy turf tramped 

 firmly against the stem on the side opposite that from which 

 the worst winds may be expected. 



Should rank vegetation, which, is, however, rarely met 

 with at high altitudes and on exposed ground, interfere with 

 the growth of the young trees, it would be well to have such 

 cut over and either burned or spread evenly over the ground. 



