90 KEEPING YOUNG TREES 



properly for. I am aware that many planters say 

 that they can do the work more cheaply — but this 

 of course must depend upon the average amount of 

 wages as given to labourers in the district ; what I 

 have stated above is taken from notes of expense 

 actually incurred by myself; and, of course, I can 

 speak with certainty upon the subject only so far 

 as my own experience goes. 



SECTION III. THE KEEPING OF TREES IN A YOUNG 



PLANTATION CLEAR FROM GRASS AND WEEDS. 



Any piece of ground having been planted with 

 young forest trees, in order to keep them in a 

 healthy growing state, it is necessary to have them 

 kept clear of all long grass, as well as any other 

 weeds that might have a tendency to injure them, 

 by over-topping and crushing them down. Upon 

 this head, the forester should keep a sharp look- 

 out during the summer season, particularly the first 

 one after the young trees have been planted ; and 

 wherever it is observed that the grass or any other 

 weeds are likely to become strong, and to fall 

 down upon the young trees, a careful man, with 

 a few women and boys under his superintendence, 

 should be sent over the different young plantations, 

 who, with common shearing sickles, should be made 

 to switch away all grass, &c., from every young 

 tree that may require this to be done. 



