42 PROTECTION OF WOODLANDS. 



soil in some places, whilst in others it occasionally causes the dead 

 leaves to be piled up to such a depth as to be positively injuri- 

 ous. All kinds of broad-leaved woods, Oak and Beech, high forest 

 and coppice, are very sensitive to the blowing away of the dead 

 foliage from the soil, and speedily show this in backward growth. 

 But on the actual vegetation itself, continuous winds from any 

 particular direction also exert their influence, as may be noted in 

 abnormal, malformed crown-tops, lop-sided, rugged development of 

 the crown, and crooked growth of the trees in the vicinity of the 

 sea, or on lofty exposed heights. 



Besides that, dry east winds exert a further injurious influence 

 by exhausting and withdrawing from the soil the supply of mois- 

 ture so necessary for the well-being of woodland growth, whilst at 

 the same time stimulating the plants to an increased evaporation 

 which tends to result in their withering (wilting) and drying up. 

 These dry winds are most to be feared in spring, while sowing and 

 planting operations are being carried out, and immediately after 

 the cultural season. 



The means at our disposal for the prevention of such injurious 

 effects include the following : 



The Formation of Protective Belts or Fringes along the edge of 

 woods and skirting threatened crops in the interior of the forest, 

 a measure which can, perhaps, best be attained by planting several 

 rows of the thickly foliaged and shade-bearing Spruce. Wh( 

 it appears possible or likely to succeed, the underplanting 

 patches or clumps exposed to danger with shade-bearing specie 

 (Beech, Hornbeam, Spruce, Silver Fir) is also of great advanl 



Limitation of the thinnings along the edge of the wood, 

 retention of all undergrowth and spontaneous natural reproduc 

 tion, both near the edges and in the interior of woods exposed 

 danger. Hedges skirting woodlands should be carefully tended ai 

 trimmed in order to increase the density of their foliage. 



The turning up of coarse clods near the outskirts of the woods 

 means of hoes and similar instruments also acts beneficially 

 retaining the layer of dead leaves and the soil-moisture. Shoul 

 planting have to be carried out during dry east winds, particul 

 care must be taken to keep the roots of the seedlings and tl 

 planting-pits moist, the former being wrapped up in wet moss 

 dipped in thin loamy mud, the latter being only formed, if possibl 

 immediately before the planting takes place. 



