34 THE NURSERY 



near the head woodman's cottage, and a plentiful supply of 

 water should be at hand or capable of being easily laid on. 



On account of insect attacks, it should be far removed 

 from the estate yard, where the unbarked timber forms a 

 suitable breeding place for some injurious insects. And if 

 possible, it should be away from old pasture-land, and areas 

 of hardwood trees, for otherwise the ravages of the cock- 

 chafer grub will probably be a constant source of trouble. 



And on account of beetles and pine weevils, it should 

 not be near coniferous woods. 



The best soil to select for a forest nursery is a sandy 

 loam. A clay soil should always be avoided, for fibrous roots 

 are not easily formed in it, and the soil has a tendency to 

 "run together" and "set," thus rendering the rearing of 

 seedlings an impossibility except at great expense. A depth 

 of about 1 8 inches of soil is almost essential, as the supply of 

 moisture will be more constant and plentiful. 



(2) Size of the Nursery. 



This must depend upon the area that has to be planted 

 annually, and also upon the size and the age at which the 

 plants are going to be planted out. Roughly speaking, if 

 4-year-old plants are going to be planted at 4 feet by 4 feet, 

 the area of the nursery should be about 8 or 10 per cent, of 

 the area that is to be planted annually. 



Though, if only conifers are required, about 6 to 7 per 

 cent, of the area to be planted annually would suffice. 



And, in ordinary estate nurseries, an additional space 

 should be allowed to admit of the raising of ornamental trees 

 and garden shrubs, and " Quicks " for fences. 



(3) Laying out a Nursery. 



When the site has been determined, the whole area must 

 be carefully prepared and fenced off against rabbits, 1 and 

 stock if necessary. If the site is an old pasture, or if trouble 

 is likely to result from wireworms or cockchafer grubs, a 

 good dressing of gas-lime should be given, the soil then 

 1 Vide Chapter IV. 



