52 SYLVICULTURE. 



shoots then springing up can be more easily kept in check 

 than would be possible if they were cleared before planting. 



If the land be stiff, the soil itself also needs preparation 

 by being loosened to improve its physical condition and 

 promote aeration. On the score of expense, this special soil- 

 preparation is usually confined to opening up pits, either with 

 C- or S-conical spades (as is cheapest), or with pick, pick-shaped 

 hoe, or mattock (see page 68). When sand-dunes and shifting 

 sands have to be planted, the preliminary preparation consists 

 in fixing the sand by means of hurdles, turf, or tree-branches, 

 before sowing or planting sand - grasses, everlasting pea 

 (Lafhyrus), Pines, &c. 



Number of Plants needed, and their Supply. It is best to 

 examine the planting - ground about 3 or 4 years before 

 planting to forecast the number of different kinds of plants 

 that may be needed, and the amount of drainage and soil- 

 preparation that may seem necessary. As it is best to form 

 mixed plantations by planting in groups according to soil and 

 situation, -the land should be examined with a soil-testing 

 boring-stick to ascertain its nature and depth ; and with the 

 information thus obtained one can forecast the number of plants 

 actually needed when the planting-time arrives. 



Say that 20 acres are to be planted, and that three acres seem most 

 suitable for Larch, 3 for Douglas Fir, 4 for Red Cedar, 7 for Spruce, and 

 3 for Scots Pine, that planting is to be at 4 by 4 ft. (2722 per acre), and 

 that 10 per cent extra may be needed for filling blanks, or 3000 per acre 

 in all ; then one knows that the supply of plants that must be raised in 

 the home nursery, or else purchased, will be : 



Larch ... . . 3000x3= 9,000 

 Douglas Fir ... 3000 x 3 '= 9,000 

 Red Cedar. . . .3000x4 = 12,000 



Spruce 3000x7 = 21,000 



Scots Pine .... 3000 x 3 = 9,000 



Total plants for 20 acres = 60,000 



