PLANTING 23 



be cut in June, when they are full of sap. Some- 

 times they renew themselves for five or six years 

 and are a cause of serious expenditure. Gorse, 

 heather, and fern protect the plants from frost 

 and the sun, and unless they press or overtop 

 the plants, do good. They should be trimmed 

 or cut out according to the strength of their 

 growth. Oak stools and elder bushes generally 

 have such a vigorous growth that they must be 

 trimmed severely in order to prevent them over- 

 topping the plants. Fairly long grass is also a 

 protection against frost and sun, and need not 

 be cut unless it is coarse and matted so that it 

 might in winter fall against the plants and 

 weigh them down. 



On damp ground the removal of long grass 

 and bushes is beneficial. The soil is exposed 

 to the action of the sun and made drier and 

 sweeter, and the plants are checked from growing 

 long and sappy shoots, which with difficulty 

 stand either frost or wind. On dry ground and 

 steep banks the soil is liable to be scorched by 

 the sun ; in such places long grass and bushes 

 may be a desirable cover. 



A nursery for the growth of seedlings is a 

 great advantage to a planter. The economy 

 effected by the purchase of seedlings instead of 



