WOODS AND PLANTATIONS. 361 



The preceding diagram, fig. 112, shows the manner in which our 

 Wass nursery is laid out. It extends to about four acres, and we can 

 plant eighty acres annually from it. We do not rear many hardwood 

 trees, as the chief extent of land to plant on the estate is high lying and 

 exposed, consequently we plant a greater proportion of larch and Scots 

 pine. The nursery consists of a variety of soils, the greater portion being 

 a free open light loam ; there is also a portion of heavy land suitable 

 for the growth of hardwood trees. The part marked a is a small house 

 for keeping tools required in the nursery, and 6 is a water-tank sunk 

 down in the line of a main drain, from which a good supply of water can 

 at all times be got for the nursery when necessary. 



Strictly speaking, no ground should be chosen for a nursery site unless 

 there is a good and constant supply of water. In some large nurseries 

 there are underground runs leading to all the principal parts of the 

 grounds, so that in dry weather of any duration a jet can at once be 

 obtained for those parts of the ground requiring it. 



SECTION 6. Planting and Expense of Forming new Plantations. 



Where extensive planting operations have to be carried out on an 

 estate, the work is generally commenced about the end of October or 

 beginning of November, and continued, when the weather permits, to the 

 beginning of April. On many estates where the extent to be planted is 

 small, the planting operations are confined to the months of February, 

 March, and April. For my own part, I am in favour of planting in the 

 autumn months, especially when dealing with hardwood trees. I have 

 always found both hardwood and coniferous trees do best when planted 

 in the months of October, November, and December. There is no doubt 

 that the character and state of the soil have a considerable influence 

 in this respect. I should prefer planting in dry sandy or gravelly soils 

 in the autumn months, and planting in moist soils in the spring months. 

 However, as already stated, it is necessary to take advantage of the whole 

 season when a large extent has to be done, as then time is precious. It 

 will not even do to employ a large number of workmen, as it is not every 

 labourer who can plant properly ; and if every unskilled workman who 

 presents himself is employed, the consequences may be serious. Of course, 

 by close attention on the part of the forester, these men in the course of 

 a few weeks learn to know how to plant well ; but I consider it better 

 policy to do the work well as far as we go, and rather plant over the whole 

 of the season with a few skilled workmen, than have the work done hur- 

 riedly in a short time with a large number of inexperienced hands. 



