48 PROTECTION OF WOODLANDS. 



question and their vegetation, but also for their immediate vicinity 

 and their further surroundings, on account of the general sinking 

 of the water-level and the excessive withdrawal of the supplies 

 of necessary moisture. Many very unfortunate experiences have 

 already been made in this direction, in consequence of the too 

 rapid off -flow of the atmospheric precipitations, a too great drying 

 up of the soil, the fall of the water below the level necessary for 

 working saw-mills and other works, the drying up of springs, &c. 



The water obtained from the drainage of elevated tracts should 

 be utilised, wherever necessary and possible, for the benefit of 

 lower lying woodlands, by being conducted along dry slopes, as can 

 also be done with the water collecting in ditches along the sides 

 of roads (see par. 12). The drainage of an unwooded area should 

 always be carried out some time before it is intended to stock it, 

 in order to allow the soil to set. The drainage of woodlands 

 should be conducted with great caution, and only to a very 

 moderate extent ; drains which pass through older crops, in order 

 to carry off surplus moisture from other areas, not infrequently 

 have an injurious effect on the former, owing to sinking of the 

 ground and consequent exposure of the roots, as in the case of 

 the Spruce, or even cause drying up of the tops of the crowns, as in 

 Alder woods. 



In the planting up of tracts that have been drained, but are 

 still somewhat moist and inclined to a strong growth of ran] 

 grass, choice should be made of strong transplants of such suitable 

 species as are little sensitive to frost, which should be put ou1 

 during dry autumn weather, with balls of earth attached to the 

 roots, if necessary ; whilst for moist localities, tumping, or planting 

 on mounds or on beds as above described, is highly recommendabl< 



30. Carrying out of Drainage "by means of Ditches. 



The removal of surplus water generally takes place by me 

 of open ditches, and less frequently by drains covered with stone 

 or brushwood, or through pipes. It is essential that there shoulc 

 be a sufficient fall towards some adjacent pond or water-chann< 

 whose level under normal conditions is constantly, or at any rat 

 as a rule, below that of the water in the area to be drained, 

 the former case, the drainage can be carried out at any time withoi 

 difficulty ; but in the latter, water-gates or sluices must be foi 



