PLANTATIONS OF ASH TREES. 355 



about two Inches thick; these I corer with sand about the 

 same thickness, to preserve the keys from heating, and 

 then proceed with alternate layers of the keys and sand till 

 the hole is full. They are suffered to remain in this state 

 till the beginning of the month of March of the following 

 year, when they should be taken out for sowing. The Sowing, 

 keys will be found in a swelled state, ready for vegetation. 

 The land being properly prepared, drills should be made in 

 it as for sowing pease, and the keys laid regularly therein, 

 and covered up with earth. 



In about six weeks the young plants will appear above Hoeing. 

 ground, and should be kept perfectly clear from weeds by 

 hoeing. 



In the month of March of the next year they should Planting out. 

 be planted out in rows, a foot wide, and the plants placed 

 three or four inches asunder in the row. In this state they 

 are to remain for two or three years, when they will be in 

 a proper condition for planting out into the land, where 

 they are to remain. 



For planting out where they are to remain, the land be- Final planting, 

 ing previously well ploughed the preceding autumn, and a 

 good loamy soil, not too wet or stiff, the ground is to be 

 opened by the plough into drills about two feet apart, and 

 the plants placed in each other drill or row, so that the 

 rows of ash are four feet apart, and the plants in the drill 

 two feet asunder. The drills should be 10 or 12 inches 

 deep. A man, who sets the plants, places each upright in 

 the. drill, draws the earth to it with his foot, and treads it 

 well in. Where a plant with a larger root than common is 

 found, the man with a small hoe or pricker makes a hole 

 within the drill, a little deeper than usual, to hold the 

 plant, but this is not often necessary. 



A statute acre will contain 5400 ash plants, and one man 

 can plant 1000 or 1200 plants in a day. 



The intermediate row between the plants may be either 

 set with beans or potatoes, or may be left open advantage- 

 ously to serve as a drain to keep the young plants dry. 



In the second year the plants should be stubbed, or ci;t Stubbing t6« 

 close to the ground with a bill; the produce serves forP^^""' 

 bavins or fire wood, and pays the expense of rent and cut- 

 2 A 2 ting 



