384 SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON TIMBER TREES 



taken without payment, the use of long " sets," planted out 

 directly, can nearly always be recommended, provided enough 

 long " sets " can be taken. The advantages of using long 

 " sets " are that : 



(1) A mature tree is obtained in the shortest possible 



time ; and the labour cost of planting the " sets " is 

 only about I2s. per 1000. 



(2) The expense of schooling in a nursery is avoided. 



(3) The expense of planting out 1 young trees in pits at a 



cost of say i, 8s. per 1000 is avoided ; so, also, is the 

 cost of cutting out any rank grass from amongst the 

 young trees. 



(4) The large " sets " will often be above the frost line ; 



whereas small trees might be cut over by frosts. 



(5) Hedgerow Willows can thus be easily grown without 



any fear of being choked. 



The young trees must be carefully tended ; all double 

 leaders must be cut away ; and the boles kept free of side 

 branches for three-fifths of their length. 



As soon as a clean bole, 20 feet in length, has been 

 attained, the trees should be given ample growing space so 

 that a maximum girth expansion may take place. 



It must be remembered that heartwood is not required, 

 and that the broader the annual rings, the more valuable is 

 the timber for bat making. 



Timber under 1 1 or 12 inches quarter girth is of no value 

 for bat making, as it is not large enough to be split up into 

 pieces from which bats can be made ; for the face of a bat is 

 a longitudinal radial section, and does not contain any of the 

 "core "of the log. 



Any length of timber 2 feet 3 inches 2 long, or some 



1 These large " sets " should be inserted about 2 feet in the ground, so 

 that they may not be swayed by the wind. A hole should be made with a 

 crowbar, the "set" inserted, and earth then filled into the hole and firmly 

 trodden in. On no account must these long "sets" be pushed in, or the 

 bark will become injured. 



2 Bat lengths are 2 feet 2 inches long ; 2 feet 3 inches is taken to 

 allow a margin for safety. 



