AFFORESTATION OF PIT MOUNDS 63 



plantations and their continued protection. Herein lies 

 the importance of enlisting in such a movement the active 

 help and sympathy of school children and their parents. 



The species used have varied with the nature of the 

 soil and atmosphere. The Black Country, on account of 

 the acid fumes from its chimneys, is not favourable to 

 conifers ; but the Association has begun to plant Sitka 

 spruce, while in some districts larch, Scots pine, and common 

 spruce might be tried. The tree which succeeds best, not only 

 on the loose and friable ash, but also on the refractory 

 shale, is the common alder. Birch thrives on the ashy 

 soil, except where the fumes are unusually dense. On 

 considerably weathered mounds, on which grass is growing, 

 ash, sycamore, and wych elm thrive fairly well. The 

 black Italian poplar is usually planted around mounds ; 

 and, as it grows fast, serves as a protection belt. This 

 shelter is required, as most of the pit banks are 500 to 700 

 feet above the sea and are much exposed to strong winds. 



The wood of the two most successful species, alder and 

 birch, is marketable at good prices in Birmingham and in 

 the Black Country, being much used for handles of small 

 tools, ,of electric switches, and of different utensils. They 

 are sought for by the numerous wood turners of the 

 district, as well as by many firms which make their wood- 

 fittings in their own works. The cost of planting has been 

 about £6 per acre for trees five feet apart, in addition to 

 Is. per lineal yard for fencing; but it would be better to 

 plant the trees four feet apart at a greater proportionate cost. 

 The growth of the trees has been good, birch and alder set 

 out in 190r)-1908 being now 18 to 24 feet high, while 

 poplars in 1916 had attained in some belts as much as 30 

 feet. There are altogether 36 plantations, the largest 

 (Moorcroft) being 34 acres. The others are considerably 

 smaller, ^ acre to 5 acres. The total area planted is 

 S2 acres. 



The work of the Midland licaPforesting Association has 

 been greatly encouraged by the Education Committee of 

 the Rowlev liegis District Council The historv of one of 



