SOIL-PREPARATION. 5 1 



or 2178 per acre) especially favourable when the land is 

 wet (Fig. 1). 



The Superficial Soil-preparation required will vary accord- 

 ing to the soil-covering and the stiffness of the soil. So far as 

 the soil-covering of weeds is concerned, the amount of clearing 

 and preparation desirable before planting varies greatly, accord- 

 ing to the amount of protection needed against late frosts and 

 drought. Where these dangers do not exist a soil- covering 

 like furze, broom, or bracken (all indicating a naturally well- 

 drained soil) can be cut and burned ; but otherwise it is best 

 only to clear them sufficiently to give the young plants room to 

 grow. Where the growth of bracken is very strong, it should 



Fig. 



A 



5' 5' 5' 



Drains io//. apart ; planting mound- lines $ft. apart. 



be cut over twice or sometimes even thrice in the year before 

 planting, the first switching being in June just as the fronds 

 are uncurling. This exhausts the vigour of growth, and 

 during the year of planting it may only be necessary to beat 

 back the fronds in late summer, to prevent them overlying the 

 young plants. Heather, whortleberry, and the like, which 

 do not spread, whip, or choke the plants, are in most cases 

 beneficial by sheltering the young plants against late frost, 

 drying spring winds, early summer drought and scorching, and 

 even against rabbits (if not numerous) and black-cock. Sporadic 

 Birch or Aspen, too, ought then to be left standing for pro- 

 tection against frost and drought till the young plants have 

 established themselves, when they can be cut and removed 

 without doing much damage, and when the seedlings and stool- 



