Planting of Slopes and Banks. 57 



large size, and they will certainly outlive them in almost every 



instance. 



Planting of Rocky Surfaces. 



212. It is one of the peculiar merits of Forest-culture, that it may 

 be practiced upon broken and rocky surfaces that could not be plowed, 

 or scarcely pastured, provided always that there is depth and quan- 

 tity of soil among the stones, and in the crevices, to give a hold to 

 the roots of the trees, and moisture enough in the soil to afford them 

 adequate support. 



213. No general rule can be given for the starting of woodlands 

 upon such surfaces, where so much depends upon the circumstances. 

 In doing this, it is well to study the indications afforded by nature, 

 in the casual growth of trees in the region around, or the experi- 

 ence gained by artificial planting. The yield in growth of wood 

 upon such stony surfaces may sometimes be equal to that upon 

 smooth level land, and return a fair profit, where nothing else could 

 be raised. 



214. In planting upon a hill-side of moderate declivity, it is gen- 

 erally preferable to plow the land and to set the rows of trees in 

 Lnes parallel with the base, or at right angles with the slope. The 

 reason of this is, that the soil becomes less exposed to the wash of 

 the rains, when so cultivated. The water from rains and melting 

 snows is held in place, and tends to sink into the earth, instead of 

 running off on the surface. 



215. Upon very steep declivities of friable and decomposing rock, 

 it is sometimes practicable to secure sufficient soil for the roots of 

 trees, by digging horizontal terraces or notches at convenient inter- 

 vals, securing their outer edge with brush held in place with pegs. 

 In a year or two these notches will have probably become filled up 

 by the crumbling away of the rock above, and in the soil thus 

 lormed trees may be planted with a prospect of success. 



216. This form of planting becomes necessary in restoring a 

 wooded covering to eroded mountain sides. Besides its use in re- 

 boisemeut, as described on a subsequent page, it might sometimes 

 be used with advantage to secure the soil upon crumbling banks that 

 overhang highways and railroads, and in other situations where 

 danger may be expected from the sliding or washing of the soil. 



