14 FENCING AND 



only profitable way of rearing trees for any useful 

 purpose. 



SECTION III. FENCING AND INCLOSING OF GROUND 



FOR YOUNG TREES. 



It is absolutely necessary that every piece of 

 ground laid out for a plantation should be fenced 

 in some way or other, previous to its being planted. 

 A fence not only prevents the inroads of sheep and 

 cattle, but it at the same time tends very much 

 to shelter the young trees, and to bring them on 

 rapidly. It is, indeed, surprising to observe the 

 difference that a very low fence makes upon the 

 growth of young trees, as compared with those 

 which are not protected by one. Any proprietor, 

 or forester, upon looking through his several plan- 

 tations, will observe that, in all young plantations, 

 the most rapid growing, and at the same time the 

 most healthy trees in it, arc to be found immedi- 

 ately behind the outer fence ; and, upon the other 

 hand, in all older plantations, the best grown, and 

 at the same time the most healthy trees, are to be 

 found in the centre of the same, or, at least, a con- 

 siderable distance back from the fence. Now, it 

 may be asked, what is the reason that the best 

 wood is found in the inner parts of old plan- 

 tations, while the most rapid growing trees are 

 to be found, when young, behind the boundary 



